Billy Joe Brown

The family will receive guests in the Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Home, 5400 Bell Amarillo, TX; on Monday, January 21, 2019 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home’s Pioneer Chapel on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 10 am. A private committal service will be held at a later time. The family requests that everyone dress casual in honor of Billy.

Billy was born on February 15, 1934 in Chandler, Oklahoma to Maude Brown. In 1951, he graduated from Monahans, Texas and would later enlist in the United States Air Force. Prior to leaving for the Air Force, he would meet Barbara Hall at a cookout. Try as he may, Barbara was adamant that Billy was not her type. This did not deter Billy, who continued to court Barbara until she finally agreed to a coke date with him. From there they would date until finally exchanging vows in September of 1955. After that, they never missed a chance to say I love you. Barbara’s father loved Billy as a son. When Billy left the service, he chose to move his wife and himself to Amarillo, Texas to be close to the only father he ever knew. He put his knowledge from the Air Force to use after serving, and became a long distance switchman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. When Southwestern was bought out, Billy stayed on with the new AT&T phone company. Barbara would joke that the only thing that changed was the color of his paycheck from green to blue.

Following retirement, Billy found joy in many things such as volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Billy was an avid bass fisherman. He spent many days in Table Rock, Arkansas with a fishing pole in his hand. Many things gave him joy, but his favorites were Rodeo, especially the PBR, his Texas Rangers; and beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Throughout his life, the 1951 class of Monahans, Texas remained extremely tight knit. The whole class met every two years, and not for just a reunion. They traveled together to places on both the east and west coast, and never missed an opportunity to see each other. In a sense, the class of 51 was more like brothers and sisters than class mates. He and Barbara were members of the Hillside Christian Church, formerly Paramount Terrace Christian Church for many years.

Billy was preceded in death by his mother Maude, three brothers, one sister, a sister in love, and a nephew. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 70 years, Barbara, sons Monty Brown and wife Christi of Lucas, TX, Mark Brown and fiancé Tammy Hiett of Amarillo, TX; daughter in love RaeEllen Brown of Amarillo; brother Perry Brown and wife Janice of Noble, OK, brother in love Artis Cain of Amarillo, TX; sister Barbara Rollins of Albuquerque, NM; Grandsons Michael and Katie Brown and son Casen, Miles Brown, Trace Brown, Wyatt Brown, Hunter Brown, David and Casey Bellnar and children Zoe and Zeke; and granddaughter Amanda and Zach Bartlan and son Brooks; Niece Chris and Leo Brewer, and nephew Corey and Alexi Holliman and son Austin; good neighbors Wanda and Glenn Young, as well as many other loving friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to the Hillside Christian Church Building Fund, Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice in honor of Billy Joe Brown.