Billy Ray Young Sr.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am February 7, 2017 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. Jack Husung, Sr. will be officiating. Visitation will be held February 6, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at The Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Crawford Bowers Funeral Home.

Billy was born to Freddie Lee and Faye Young in Grant County, Arkansas on September 4, 1934. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1952. He worked for a paper mill and the Cotton Belt Railroad before enlisting in the military. He served in the National Guard for two years and then the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Chinon, France, and Fort Hood before receiving an honorable discharge in 1963.

Billy was married to Lillian Irene Tincher on April 12, 1957 in Poteau, Oklahoma. They were married 59 years and had two children.

Billy worked in the Auto Industry for over 50 years. He began his career at Fergus Ford Motor Company in Killeen, Texas as a salesman. He then went on to own several of his own automobile franchises to include Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Fiat, Suzuki, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. His son, Billy Ray Young, Jr, later became co-owner with his father. Mr. Young received numerous awards for his service to the auto sales industry.

Billy enjoyed farming and ranching and spent his free time raising cattle at his ranch in Florence, Texas. He loved letting the grandchildren sit on his lap and drive his tractors and trucks all through the pastures. Billy was also actively involved in the Masonic Lodge 1125 for over 50 years and was a member of the American Red Brangus Association and American Quarter Horse Association. He was a member of the Killeen Planning and Zoning Committee, American State Bank Board of Directors, and many other community projects in the Central Texas area.

Billy was proceeded in death by his parents and a sister, Francis Lee Jones.

Billy is survived by his wife Lillian, daughter Pam Bass and husband Bert of Belton; son Billy Young, Jr and wife Tracie of Killeen; and a brother Drew Young and wife Jennie of Sheridan, Arkansas.

One of the brightest times of his life was his years as a grandfather. He was a proud Papa to Chance Riehl and wife Shelley and their three sons Jace, Truitt, and Bennett of Tyler; Megan, Tanner, and Bradley Young all of Killeen; Callee Dorman and husband Daryl of College Station; Justin Bass of Fort Worth, and Tatum Millsap of Youngsport.

Billy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and he considered Steve Johnson and his wife Shearl and their two children Samantha and Ryan of Atlanta, Georgia as honorary family members.

Mitch Connell, Paul Cosper, Daryl Dorman, David Jones, Steve Johnson, and Royce Matkin will be honoring the family by serving as pallbearers for the service