Billy Neal Yarbrough

Billy Neal Yarbrough, 81, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday evening, May 10, 2014. Services will be held at 10:00a.m., on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at North Park Baptist Church, 1525 Anson Ave., with Louis Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Caps Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Visitation will be this evening, Tuesday, from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Westbrook, Joe Compton, Mason Yarbrough, Clay Westbrook, Ethan Westbrook, and Hal Peters.

Billy was a man of few words who demonstrated his quiet inner strength, determination and great love to those closest to his heart. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him in return.

Born on August 26, 1932 in Anadarko, OK to Acy James Yarbrough and Omah Jane Thomasson, he later moved with his family to the community of View. He attended Butterfield primary school and graduated from Abilene High School in 1951. Billy joined the United States Navy in 1952 and served for 4 years (including the Korean War) as an ME2 sheet metal worker and was assigned to the USS Sperry. After completing his 4 year enlistment, he received both the national defense service and good conduct medals and was then transferred from active duty to the Naval Reserves in 1956.

On September 2, 1956 in Coleman, Texas, Billy married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Barbara Elaine Yates. They bought a home on Beech Street in Abilene, together raised a family and lived in the house for their entire married life which lasted 43 years until Barbara’s death separated them.

Billy worked in the sheet metal business, for the City of Abilene Water/Sewer Department, and was also reassigned to active duty as an SW2 in the Navy Seabees, being stationed in Vietnam from 1968-69. For his service in Vietnam, he earned another national defense service medal, Vietnam service medal with fleet marine combat operations insignia, and the Vietnam campaign medal. He returned home from overseas as a disabled veteran and soon retired from the City of Abilene. He attended business classes at Hardin-Simmons University, was a member of the DAV(Disabled American Veterans) and a deacon at North Park Baptist Church.

In June of 2000, two days before Father’s Day, his beloved Barbara passed away from cancer. Soon afterward, he moved to Coleman Lake where he enjoyed living until October of 2010. At that time, he made the decision to move to Wisteria Place in Abilene and it was there that he spent the remainder of his days. We feel that our Daddy honored our mother by joining her in heaven one day before Mother’s Day.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his sister, Mary Ann Boiles. Left behind to cherish his memory are two brothers, Don and Charlie Joe Yarbrough; plus numerous nieces and nephews; 5 children, Angela Peters (Hal), Marty Yarbrough, Cynthia Compton (Joe), Debra Westbrook (Gary) and Doug Yarbrough (Tammy); 16 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren, Tiffany Casey(Peter) , their son, Karsten and baby on the way, Mason Yarbrough (Rayme), their daughter McKinley and soon-expected baby brother, Taylor Compton( Hilary) and daughter Madeline, Travis Compton, Carie Compton and son, Caiden, Camri Compton, Clay Westbrook (Tisha), Ethan Westbrook, Bethany Westbrook, Chase Martin, Channing Martin, and Coleton Yarbrough.

We would like to give special thanks and recognition to the Wisteria Place staff for taking such good care of our Daddy/Papa during his final years here with us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Texas Rehab Center.