Billie Boles

Billie Boles, was a great man. He was dearly loved by his wife, eight children, twenty grandchildren, and twenty-four great grandchildren. Hard work and determination characterized this strong and loving father, grandfather, and husband.

He was born to Thomas and Belva Boles in a small one room cabin in Celina, Tennessee on March 6, 1932. When he was born he only weighed three pounds. He was so small they kept him in a shoebox. The shoebox was put next to the wood stove to keep him warm.

His childhood is best described a s humble. His early years were really hard. He had a long walk to school and only had shoes in the winter. Their family got by on what meager money his father made from working in the fields, young Billie worked with

his father from morning until night. Billie learned from a young age how important it was to work and that stayed with him his entire life.

After he graduated high school, he started college. He was only able to attend one year because he had to return home to help his father in the fields.

He joined the US Army in 1952; this was the first time he owned a pair of underwear. He was then sent to Garmish, Germany. Billie served two years during the Korean War. When he returned from Germany, he married his first wife Faye. They had a daughter Theresa. He then married his second wife Betty, who had two children: John & Catherine. Together they had two daughters Sonja and Margaret. In 1971, He married his third wife Delores who had four children: LaRae, Larry, Dale, and Laraine who he raised as his own. Together they had a daughter Tami. The third time was a charm because they were married for 42 years.

During his life he had several jobs. He was an ice cream man, milk man, worked at a service station, worked for a tractor manufacturer, forklift operator. After his retirement, he owned and managed apartment buildings.

At the time of his death, Billie was 81 years old.

Billie is servived by his wife: Delores Boles; His 8 children: 2 sons; Larry and Dale, and his 6 daughters; Theresa, Sonja, La Rae, Laraine, and Tami; his brother Ken Boles. Billie also leaves 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren to cherish his memory.Billie was loved very much and we will miss him dearly. His lifetime of dedication and self –sacrifice serve as a monument to the exemplary man he was. His humility, integrity, and hard work continue to inspire those who knew him.