Billy Joe Mullins

Billy Joe Mullins, 80, a resident of Carrollton, passed from this life Friday, February 18th at his home following an extended illness. The son of Lloyd B. and Ruth E. Honecker Mullins, Billy Joe was born June 28, 1930 in Centralia, Illinois where he grew up and graduated from high school.

Billy Joe attended Kaskaskia College in Centralia and later received his undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, a Master of Science degree from the University of Missouri and then pursued his PhD. at North Texas State University. He also served as professor for seven years in the Junior College at which he was, at one time, a student.

Billy entered the United States Navy, March 10, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois and served his country during the Korean War. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the United Nations Service Medal and the China Service Medal. His more significant assignment was with the U.S.S.Rendova. He was honorably discharged January 31, 1953.

Billy, and his loving wife Betty, whom he married in Centralia in 1951, moved to Carrollton in 1962 from Houston, from where he transferred as an employee of GSI to Texas Instruments. Billy retired from Texas Instruments in 1990 after 20 years of service.

A physicist by education and profession, he is also described as a philosopher, poet and certainly a patriot. A marksman of considerable ability, he also loved racing and participated as a driver in significant competitions down through the years. Motorcycles were also a source of enjoyment and pleasure, as was the thrill of riding them.

Surviving Billy Joe is his wife, Betty; two sisters, Ruthann Ritter of Winsboro, Texas and Janet Heyduck of St. Charles, Missouri; nieces, Marcy Roark and Kelly Gamrat both of Denver, Colorado; nephews, Lloyd and Joseph Heyduck both of St. Louis, Missouri; great nieces, and nephews, Tryke Roark, R.E. Roark, Keenan Roark, Brynly Roark, Risa Gamrat all of Denver.

A Presbyterian, Billy Joe was also a member of American Legion Post Number 88 of Lake Dallas. Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 26th in the Chapel of Rhoton Funeral Home under whose direction services were arranged. The family has requested that contributions in Billy's memory be made to "Vet to Vet", 25 Highland Village, Ste 100-411, Dallas, Texas 75205.