He was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Cleo Jerrell, his wife of 51 years Martha Nell, his son Phillip, and his daughter Stephanie Murphy. He is survived by his brothers, Pete and his wife Ree of Woodbridge, Virginia, Michael and his wife Shirley of Dothan, Alabama; sons Perry Mark Kinamon and Steven Rice; daughters Cindy Johnson and Jennifer Patton; and his son-in-law Michael Murphy; grandchildren Michael Patton, Kristin Thompson, Justin Rice, Jordan Kuhn, and Madison Patton; great grandchildren, Colton, Dean, Anna, Henry; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Billie “Bill” to everyone who knew him, grew up in Jackson, Michigan with his brother’s Pete and Michael and graduated from Jackson High School before joining the United States Air force and rising to the rank of Sargent. While stationed at Perrin AFB in Denison, Texas, Bill met his wife Martha Nell and where they would always call home, regardless of where they ventured out in the world to.
Bill went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Minor in Mechanical Engineering. He was extremely proud of his engineering background and of his lifetime career in the building of numerous mines and power plants across the United States and internationally. This provided both him and Martha with numerous adventures and stories to tell.
The family is very thankful and will always be grateful to the wonderful care provided by his son Mark in his remaining days and the skilled nurses and doctors at the Texoma Medical Center, Beacon Hill Rehabilitation Center and Home Hospice.
After Martha passed in 2011, One of Bill’s favorite places to visit was Nick’s Diner in Denison where he spent a lot of relaxing times with friends and acquaintances, they would discuss the issues of the day and solve the world’s problems.
Now, Bill gets to rest in peace and rejoin Martha, his daughter Stephanie, and his son Phillip as he is laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Denison Texas on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Visitation will be at the Chapel at Fairview Cemetery in Denison, Texas on February 5, 2019 from 9:00 to 10:00 Am. Funeral services will follow Visitation.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to your local Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group.
Pastor Todd Catteau of the Park Avenue Church of Christ will be officiating at the funeral service.
Bratcher Funeral Home directing, (903) 465-2323.
