Billy Ray “Bill” Anderson of Fulbright, Texas passed away on a beautiful sunny spring morning on the first day of June, 2019 at the age of 81 years. After several weeks of failing health, he died peacefully at his home in Fulbright with his beloved wife Shirley and family by his side.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 3 at First Baptist Church in Bogata, Texas with Rev. George Spears and Wade White officiating. Burial will be in Bogata Cemetery under the direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
Bill was born on Nov. 19, 1937 in Paris, Texas to David Taylor Anderson and Roberta Rozell Anderson, Bill graduated from Detroit High School in 1956. He then served in the U. S. Navy from 1956 to 1960. He also attended Paris Junior College after his tour in the Navy.
In 1961, he met the love of his life, Shirley Ward, at Buckman Drug Store where she was working. They were married on April 7, 1962 in Paris, Texas. They enjoyed a life together for over 57 years.
Bill worked at Uarco in Paris, Texas for 33 years and retired in 1993. Not content to be idle, Bill began a new career in 1995 with Red River County as a Veterans Service officer. He retired from this position in 2011. He then was able to devote more time to his real passion of cattle ranching, and horses. Some of his favorite times were when he and Shirley would ride the mule and check their cows. Bill was a longtime member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Bogata, Texas.
Bill was a loving dad who always took care of his family and did a great job to teach and guide his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Roberta Rozell Anderson and sister-in-law, Dana Anderson.
Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley Anderson, and three sons; Stanley Anderson & wife Lasca of Destrehan, LA, David Anderson & wife Marla of Fulbright, and Bradley Anderson of Glenwood, Arkansas, two brothers, John Anderson of Allen, and Jim Anderson & wife Ramona of Garland, ten grandchildren; April & Jason Wilkie, Amber Wieniewitz, Taylor Anderson, Callie & Colby Harvey, Regan Anderson, A. J. George & fiancé Jordan Myers, Mariel George, Tara George, Bryan and Andrea Dirks, and Craig and Brianna Holdeman, and ten great grandchildren, Madeline and Jake Wilkie, Abbie, Lexie, and Christian Wieniewitz, Caney Harvey, Jett Wright, Holly and Alex Davoust, and Chelsea Dirks, and numerous nieces and nephews along with a host of friends.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Bogata Cemetery Association, 140 Mt. Vernon Rd., Bogata, Texas 75417.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
