Billy Aaron Tarver

March 27, 1927 - May 17, 2013

Billy Aaron Tarver was born March 27, 1927, to Luther and Myrtis Tarver in Olla, Louisiana. The family moved to Odessa, Texas in the 1930’s where Luther worked for Humble Oil Pipe Line. Billy spent his childhood there as an “oil patch kid.” When he was 15, they moved to Longview where he attended Judson school. At the age of 18, Billy joined the United States Navy. He was a Sea Bee during the two years he served in the South Pacific. In 1947, he moved back to Longview. He found work in construction and was an I.B.E.W. 324 member. His work took him to many places in the United States including North Dakota, Michigan and Tennessee. He continued in construction until 1977.

During that time he married Jane Elizabeth Sparks of Hallsville, Texas in 1949. They had a daughter, Judy Lynn, in 1952. Judy was the “apple of his eye.”

In 1977, he began a new chapter in his career with Texas Utilities as an Electrical Engineer. Many of his co-workers were young men that he looked after and cared for like his own sons. He retired from there in 1992. After retirement, Billy and Jane, had the privilege of traveling for ten years. They were able to visit many places in North America. Billy described it as, “the best years of his life.”

Billy’s true love was the Lord. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church from 1954 - 2005. He was currently a devoted member at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. His favorite past time was reading the Bible and studying it diligently. He is also known by his friends as a storyteller, recounting experiences from his time in the Navy and at work. He was like a living History Channel. Billy also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the East Texas Woodcarvers Association and won awards for some of his work. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner as well. He loved the Lord, his family and life. He lived it to the fullest.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Myrtis Tarver, and his sister, Opal Aline Stevens.

Left to remember his legacy are his wife, Jane Sparks Tarver, and his daughter, Judy King Mock and her husband, Kendall Mock of Hallsville, TX; his granddaughter, Melissa King Ponder, her husband, Jeff Ponder, and their children, Brett and Natalie Grace of Bushland, TX; his granddaughter, Laura King Gertz, her husband, Josh Gertz, and their children, Jozef, Jazmyn and Lantzen of Hallsville, TX; and nieces, nephews and many close friends.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Heart’s Way, Sandy, Channing and Susan.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Building Fund at Woodland Hills Baptist Church or to Heart’s Way Hospice.

The Family will received friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013, at Lakeview Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:.00 p.m., at Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel, with entombment to follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.