Mr. Billy Joe Dula danced his way to Heaven on the 26th of February, 2016 in Hickory, North Carolina. He was born in Lenoir, North Carolina to Joseph Andrew and Sarah Elizabeth Dula and spent his life in the area. In the sixth grade he met the ‘girl’ who would become his wonderful wife of 58 years, Mary Jean Horton Dula.
In high school he played football, basketball and baseball at Freedman High School; and also participated in plays and could clear a dance floor. He completed some college at A&T State University before returning home to work at Bernhardt Industries and raise a family with Mary.
Known by neighborhood kids as ‘Daddy Bill’, he was often the life of any gathering, had a distinctive walk that his children would often imitate and loved music. Along with listening to music, he loved to read, write short stories and go fishing, he could tell you anything that happened on any given date, was a master wood builder, enjoyed hanging with his brother, often used words like pronto, reciprocity and splendid, and was always quick to tell you ‘what he wasn’t gonna do’.
In 1992 he rededicated his life to Christ and was a member of West End Mennonite Brethren Church with his wife. He was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, President of the Men of Valor Club which he started and a member in the choir…he loved the Lord.
Although he retired in 2001, he just couldn’t sit still and decided to work part-time at Walmart until his health prevented him from continuing. He never met a stranger.
He leaves behind his wife, Mary Dula of the home; three children, Darryl Dula (Renee) of Lenoir, NC, Davron Dula (Amber) of Hudson, NC, Dietra McNair (Everett) of Denver, NC; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister, Mona Rae Gibson of Raleigh, NC; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Larkin Horton, Jr. (Patricia) of Lenoir, NC, Harold Bowers (Gladys) of Lenoir, NC, Virginia Coverson of Philadelphia, PA; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Herman Lee Dula; stepfather, Clyde Setzer and brother-in-law, Willie Coverson.
We will love and cherish the memories we each shared with him as husband, father, brother, cousin and friend. Billy Joe was such a cool cat, an immaculate dresser and always had a toothpick in his mouth – often quick to tell a joke or share a funny story, he was a man that lived a full life.
Services are as follows:
Visitation Service - Friday, March 4, 2016, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home, 522 Wilkesboro Blvd, SE, Lenoir, NC 28645 (828.754.3441).
Funeral Service - Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 3:00pm at West End Mennonite Brethren Church, 512 Stage Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.
The family requests any donations be sent to the wonderful team that provided compassionate care and love in our time of need – Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 (828.466.0466).
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