Billy Gene Coe Sr.

Billy Gene Coe, Sr. departed from our midst on Thursday, June 14, 2018. Services are scheduled for Saturday, June 16th at 10 AM at East Paris Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Fortenberry officiating. Military Rites will be rendered at the church and burial will follow at Meadowbrook Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday at Bright-Holland Funeral Home.

Bill was born on March 31, 1931 in Talco, TX to Edgar and Willie Mae Benningfield Coe. He graduated Detroit High School and Paris, Junior College. He began his 36 year Military Career in 1951. He married Mary Lou Skidmore on October 1, 1952. He accepted the position as State Inspector with The Texas National Guard in 1953. He served in that position until he was called to Active Duty with the 49th Armored Division Berlin-Cuba Crisis in 1961 to Ft. Polk, La. Upon his release in 1962, he took the Maintenance Supervisor position for the Texarkana Unit. Later transferring to the Marshall unit in 1963 where he remained until 1972. At that time he transferred back to Camp Maxey Unit as a CW2 until his retirement in 1987.

Bill was ordained as a Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in 1958. He was a member of East Paris Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School. He also was a part of The Promise Keepers and Brotherhood. He was a Mason, Shriner and member of the Hella Temple Shrine. He served on the MJC Water Board. He was always involved in Family, Community and Sports. He was active in the Family Business, Paris Real Estate. He was a Graduate of The Real Estate Institute. He was a dedicated supporter of Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Bill never met a stranger. He loved to talk about his world travel. He was a dedicated Son, Husband, Dad, Grandad, Great Grandad, Brother, Uncle and Friend.

Bill was preceded in death by an Infant Daughter, Mary Elouise. His parents, Sisters Esterdean (John) Walker, Pauline (Onas) Vickers, Brothers Louis (Eva) Coe, Bobby Coe and Floyd Eugene Coe. His in-laws, Ancil and Alma Skidmore, Fred and Robbie Skidmore, Clayton Skidmore and Bill Allred. Nieces, Judy Allred Puckett and Shanna Getz. Nephews Curtis Skidmore and John Louis Walker.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Daughters Shelley (Jerrell) Briggle, Taunyia (Joe) Smyers, Sons Billy Coe Jr (Valorie) and Bradley (Christi) Coe. Grandchildren Jarrod (Jerelen) Briggle, Jorry (Chastiti) Briggle, Terra (Jason) Brown of Arlington, Kimberly (Chris) Porter, Brandi (Seth) Howard of Gainesville, Colton (Sierra) Coe, Catelin Coe, Dustin Smyers, Drew(Kacey) Smyers, Pricilla Smyers, Arianna Hubler, Tristian Hubler and Tatia Hubler. Great Grandchildren Jay, Cobi and Jase Briggle, Jordan, Joshua and Jacob Brown, Corban Howard and MaryAnn Grace Coe, Emery, Devin, Addy and Sam Smyers. Sister-in-Law Mary McCullouch Coe of Tyler, Nieces and Nephews Frankie (Ed) Kaiser, Johnnie (David) Stewart, Louis Clay (Glenda) Walker, Jimmy (Paula) Walker, Gene (Othella) Vickers, Jan (Terry) Rogers, Sandy (Roger) Jones, Vickie (Roger) Powell, Linda (Kevin) Coe, Larry (Melody) Redding, Sam (Michelle) Redding, Louis Charles (Tina) Coe, Carla Coe, Bobby (Jennifer) Coe, Jr., Teressa (Peter) Coe Catton, Debbie (Steven) Coe Denaro, Donald (Lori) Coe of Tyler.

In-laws Katy Allred, Madge Skidmore, Georgia (Lionel) Getz, Travis (Margaret) Skidmore, Dwight (Shirley) Skidmore, Elaine (Norris) Ballard, Sandra (Jimmy) Lassiter.

Pallbearers will be Grandsons and Granddaughters, Jarrod Briggle, Jorry Briggle, Colton Coe, Jason Brown, Seth Howard, Chris Porter, Jordan Brown, Jacob Brown, Joshua Brown and Jay Briggle.

A Special Thanks to Dr. Sid White, Melissa, Terrie and Leah with Platinum Home Healthcare and Erin, Lisa, Nancy, Crystal and Rachael with Hospice.