Billy O'Neal Hightower

Billy O’Neal Hightower died September 10, 2015, at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. He was born May 6, 1933, in Todd County, KY, to Mabel Ione Saddler and Odis J. Hightower. He grew up in and around Todd County, graduating from Clifty High School in Elkton, KY in 1951. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in 1963 from Western Kentucky State College.

Billy married Frances Argo on December 14, 1956, in El Paso, TX. They had three daughters, Kathy, Donna, and Beth. They later divorced. Billy married his longtime companion, Brenda Jones on July 11, 2005, in Grand Junction, CO.

Billy served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1958. He was an F-86 jet mechanic and served in the Korean War and was medically retired in 1958 at the rank of Staff Sargent. He began his teaching career in Munfordville, KY in elementary education and after moving to Grand Junction, CO he taught at all levels of public education before going into the college level teaching social sciences at Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO. In 1979, he began working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He was chosen by the VA to be one of only two civilians to attend the Organizational Effectiveness School in California. Upon completion of the OE school Billy worked as a Management Development Specialists with the VA system. During his career with the VA he was based at hospitals though out the US beginning in Grand Junction Co, then on to Salt Lake City UT, Durham NC and Richmond VA. Before his retirement he returned to his home in Grand Junction, CO where he worked until his retirement in 1997. After retiring from the VA in 1997, he became the Mesa County Veterans Service Officer.

He was a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, in chapters in CO, NC, and UT and served in many different offices at all levels, including the Colorado State Department Commander and the Colorado State Judge Advocate. Billy was elected National Commander of the DAV in 1978. He traveled the world including flying on the Concord aircraft to Europe twice representing the US Veterans. He worked for the benefit of disabled veterans, meeting with President Jimmy Carter, addressing Congress, and attending diplomatic meetings with other world leaders including the 1979 SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Agreement) meeting with President Jimmy Carter. After the talks Billy was asked by President Carter to give his views on the agreement and the opinions of his fellow veterans. While National Commander, he worked on an outreach program for veterans called Forgotten Warrior Project that was ultimately adopted by the VA.

Billy was an avid reader, and he especially enjoyed history. He loved country music (especially Willie Nelson), NASCAR, airplanes, and engines of any kind. He had a keen sense of justice and fairness, which is why he was so passionate about the work he did for the benefit of veterans worldwide. His contributions to veterans and to his communities will be remembered for many years to come.

Billy was preceded in death by his three brothers Winfred, Dudley and Thelma Hightower, and by his daughter Kathy Augustine. He is survived by his wife Brenda Hightower of China Grove, NC; daughter Donna Garrett and her husband John, of Grand Junction, CO; daughter Beth Paramore and her husband Ray of Salt Lake City, UT; stepson Daniel Hatley and his wife Caroline of Chapel Hill, NC; son-in-law Mike Augustine of Paonia, CO; grandsons Nick Augustine of Craig, CO, and Orion Augustine of Paonia, CO; granddaughters Darah Garrett of Grand Junction, CO, Alexis Young and Caitlyn Garrett of Orem, UT, and Danielle Paramore of Salt Lake City, UT; sister Betty Laster of Russellville, KY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A big thanks to the most wonderful nursing, physical therapy, social work , food service, custodial staff in the VA system at the Salisbury VA Medical Center. We will forever be grateful for you love and devotion to ALL veterans of these United States.

Memorial Service will be Saturday Sept. 19, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Enochville on 2308 Davis St. Kannapolis at 4 pm. The family will receive friends in the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Extraordinary Ventures (Autism) , 200 South Elliott Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.linnhoneycuttfuneralhome.com