Billy was born in Campbell, Texas, on August 29, 1927, to Flora Merinda Bowen and Claude Luke Strickland. He was a truck driver and a Methodist minister. Billy was married to Frances Charlene Latham Strickland, who preceded him in death. He was a United States Army veteran serving during WWII. Billy was a member of Cumby United Methodist Church; and, he was an avid reader and music lover.
Survivors include his daughter, Charlotte Calhoun and husband, Kenny of Arkansas; son-in-law, James Hazelwood of Southmayd; son-in-law, Russell Caldwell and his wife, Laurie, of Cumby; his grandchildren: Billy Paul Bratton and wife, Pam of Cumby, Rickey James Vaughan and wife, Tammy, of Cumby, Bo Bratton and wife, Jennifer, of Cumby, Casey Hazelwood and wife, Angie, of Southmayd, Kendra Hood and husband, John, of Cumby, Trent Daniel and wife, Jessica, of Alaska and Niki Pettit and husband, Kyle, of Cumby; and, his great-grandchildren: Austin Bratton, Justin Bratton, Karson Goggans, Macyn Pettit, Koen Goggans, Sutton Killian, Slade Hood, Kadee Pettit, Dylan Daniel, Alyson Daniel, Brian Daniel, Lexi Bratton, Chase Vaughan, Erin Vaughan, Chance Roberts, Chaney Roberts, Kacley Hazelwood and Cole Lamar. Billy is also survived by his brother, Howard Strickland, and his two sisters: Wynona Lewis and Penny Shelton. Billy also leaves to cherish his memories are a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife; his two daughters: Flora B. Hazelwood and Claudette Caldwell; his three brothers: James Ray Strickland, Earl Dean Strickland and Jerry Strickland; his three sisters: Mary Claxton, Jean Rose and Linda Sheffield; and, his parents, Flora and Claude Strickland.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Chapel with Bro. Duncan Graham officiating.
Pallbearers will be Billy Bratton, Bo Bratton, Casey Hazelwood, John Hood, Kyle Pettit and Rickey Vaughan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Slade Hood, Austin Bratton, Justin Bratton, Chase Vaughan, Chance Roberts, Koen Goggans, Sutton Killian and Trent Daniel.
Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Cumby.
