Billy Barnhill

Billy E. Barnhill, 94, of Martin County, Texas, peacefully passed away in his home on November 8, 2023, in the Sun City community in Georgetown, Texas. He was born to William Samuel Barnhill and Lillie Boatman Barnhill on May 19, 1929, in Martin County. He lived in Martin and Midland counties until he moved to Georgetown, TX in 2021.

Billy married the love of his life, Betty Rankin, on October 6, 1956. There are so many wonderful things to say about their years together that it is hard to contain here. In these past two years, Betty has lovingly cared for Billy and was with him when he just fell asleep for the last time.

Billy attended school in Stanton, Texas. He was enlisted in the Navy from 1950-1954, where he was an aircraft mechanic during the Korean Conflict. He loved airplanes and his entire life when he heard an airplane flying overhead, he could tell you what it was just by the sound.

Billy was very patriotic and loved America, camping in the travel trailer, and airplanes. For 29 years he was a member of the Commemorative Airforce and was instrumental in organizing the Memorial Gardens with the help of Midland-Odessa Master Gardeners at Midland’s CAF facility. He was a member of First Honor Flight for the Permian Basin since September 2014. He received an honor at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC, for his brother, W.E. Barnhill, who was killed in WWII. Three weeks before he passed away, he toured the Military Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas and knew the type of every military jeep, vehicle, and airplane.

After the Navy, Billy worked at the post office for a short time, and for a roofing company where he was severely burned when a 50-gallon barrel of hot asphalt exploded on him in Big Spring, Texas. He spent 3 months in the hospital with Betty right beside him, helping him every day. After he healed, he was self-employed doing roofing and carpentry. During this time, he roofed or did carpentry on a vast majority of the houses and buildings in Martin County, and many in Midland County, Howard County, and surrounding areas. He even built two homes from the ground up. In 1993 both Billy and Betty retired and spent several years traveling the entire nation and four Canadian Provinces in their travel trailer. They even flew to Hawaii which completed their tour of visiting all 50 states.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillie Barnhill, three brothers - T.D. Barnhill, W.E. Barnhill, Roy Lee Barnhill, and one sister Barbara Barnhill Blocker.

Billy was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His is survived by his wife of 67 years - Betty Rankin Barnhill. Also, Billy is survived by three children: Sammy Barnhill (and wife Tammie) of Round Rock, TX, Bonnie Barnhill of Midland, TX, and Connie Barnhill Smith (and husband Dale) of Midland, TX. He has four grandchildren: Dustin Barnhill (and wife Jenny) in Yokosuka, Japan; Amanda Barnhill Massey (and husband Jeremy) of Rhome, TX; Stephen Smith (and wife Shannon) of Big Spring, TX; and Matthew Smith of Midland, TX; and three great-grandchildren: Alexander Barnhill, Analiese Barnhill, and Austin Barnhill all of Yokosuka, Japan. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. He loved his family and friends and talked about them often with deep love and adoration.

Public viewing will be at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home (4616 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX) on Wednesday, November 15 from 10 am to 12 noon, followed by a reception, and graveside service at 1:30 pm in Evergreen Cemetery, 1890 County Road B3501, Stanton, TX. Wade Blocker, Bobbie Don Barnhill, Brad Barnhill, Chris Barnhill, Stephen Smith and Matthew Smith will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the High Sky Wing, PO Box 61064, Midland, TX 79711-1064, or the charity of your choice.