Mass of Christian Burial for Billy Joe James was held 10:00 AM Thursday,
February 6, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. A Rosary/Vigil
was held 6:00 PM, Wednesday, February 5, 2014 also at Scott Funeral Home.
Services were officiated by Rev. Ken Robinson and under the direction of Scott
Funeral Home of Muenster. Billy Joe died February 2, 2014 in Muenster.
Billy Joe was born in Gibson County, Indiana on March 10, 1932 to Thurman Delbert James and Ruth Viola Wicklin.
God, family, and country – the three most important elements in Billy Joe’s life in which he served with love and passion.
He searched for a long time and after 81 years he found his peace by joining Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013. Daily prayers and bedtime thanks were among his many conversations with God.
Music was a window to Billy Joe’s soul. He wrote many songs and poems. Sharing his talent as a musician, he started a band named “The Country Rocks” where he played lead guitar and backup vocals with his brother, Kenny James, as lead vocalist. This was some of his happiest and fondest memories, often bringing a lump in his throat and tears to his eyes anytime he drifted down memory lane.
Billy Joe is his families’ hero. Being the first born, he served as son, big brother, daddy, grandpa, great grandpa, and great-great grandpa. There was no limit to what he would do for his family.
Billy Joe joined the Army in February 1956. Being award declarations in Carbine Sharpshooter, Rifle Expert, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Infantry Badge. He was stationed in Germany along the Berlin Wall. He was a lifelong member of the V.F.W and a member of the American Legion and served in many positions and duties.
Billy Joe worked in his early years helping his dad and his grandpa Joe on the farm, as a driller in the oil field in Indiana and Illinois and the coal mine in Illinois. After moving with his wife, Marilyn, and youngest daughter, Billie to Texas in 1986, he enrolled in the police academy and served as chief of police in Saint Jo until his retirement in 1996.
Billy Joe’s most loved work was farming and ranching, the hard work but simple life of a farmer. He took on many jobs brush hogging, plowing, disking and planting as well as many fence building jobs where he graciously supervised. Waking up early each day to check on the cattle and make sure all were counted for and repeating this before each evening’s sunset. Billy Joe was a simple man with simple ways, where a man’s handshake and good word was all that he needed to seal a deal.
Billy Joe is survived by his daughters: Gail and Mike Bryant of Newalla, OK, Betty James of Gainesville, Billie and Tony Grewing of Muenster; sons: Ralph and Sharron James of Gainesville, David and Kathy James of Oklahoma City, OK, Keith and Suzanne Haney of Fountain Valley, CA; his sister, Grace and Terry Kelsey of Odon, Indiana; brother Pete and Kathy James of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn L. Alldredge, Chrystal Adams, mother of his five oldest children; his parents: Thurman Delbert James and Ruth Viola Wicklin; his brothers: Ora Kenneth (Kenny) James and Hovey Ray James and one grandchild.
Pallbearers were: Keith Bartlett, Mike James, Tim James, Brian James, Jon Grewing, Matthew Grewing, Kenneth Grewing, and Ryan Hess.
Billy Joe was born in Gibson County, Indiana on March 10, 1932 to Thurman Delbert James and Ruth Viola Wicklin.
God, family, and country – the three most important elements in Billy Joe’s life in which he served with love and passion.
He searched for a long time and after 81 years he found his peace by joining Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013. Daily prayers and bedtime thanks were among his many conversations with God.
Music was a window to Billy Joe’s soul. He wrote many songs and poems. Sharing his talent as a musician, he started a band named “The Country Rocks” where he played lead guitar and backup vocals with his brother, Kenny James, as lead vocalist. This was some of his happiest and fondest memories, often bringing a lump in his throat and tears to his eyes anytime he drifted down memory lane.
Billy Joe is his families’ hero. Being the first born, he served as son, big brother, daddy, grandpa, great grandpa, and great-great grandpa. There was no limit to what he would do for his family.
Billy Joe joined the Army in February 1956. Being award declarations in Carbine Sharpshooter, Rifle Expert, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Infantry Badge. He was stationed in Germany along the Berlin Wall. He was a lifelong member of the V.F.W and a member of the American Legion and served in many positions and duties.
Billy Joe worked in his early years helping his dad and his grandpa Joe on the farm, as a driller in the oil field in Indiana and Illinois and the coal mine in Illinois. After moving with his wife, Marilyn, and youngest daughter, Billie to Texas in 1986, he enrolled in the police academy and served as chief of police in Saint Jo until his retirement in 1996.
Billy Joe’s most loved work was farming and ranching, the hard work but simple life of a farmer. He took on many jobs brush hogging, plowing, disking and planting as well as many fence building jobs where he graciously supervised. Waking up early each day to check on the cattle and make sure all were counted for and repeating this before each evening’s sunset. Billy Joe was a simple man with simple ways, where a man’s handshake and good word was all that he needed to seal a deal.
Billy Joe is survived by his daughters: Gail and Mike Bryant of Newalla, OK, Betty James of Gainesville, Billie and Tony Grewing of Muenster; sons: Ralph and Sharron James of Gainesville, David and Kathy James of Oklahoma City, OK, Keith and Suzanne Haney of Fountain Valley, CA; his sister, Grace and Terry Kelsey of Odon, Indiana; brother Pete and Kathy James of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn L. Alldredge, Chrystal Adams, mother of his five oldest children; his parents: Thurman Delbert James and Ruth Viola Wicklin; his brothers: Ora Kenneth (Kenny) James and Hovey Ray James and one grandchild.
Pallbearers were: Keith Bartlett, Mike James, Tim James, Brian James, Jon Grewing, Matthew Grewing, Kenneth Grewing, and Ryan Hess.
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