Billy Ray Manning

Billy Ray Manning went home to be with his Lord on February 20, 2022. Mr. Manning was born on December 5, 1937, in Crockett, Texas, in a small wooden home that had no electricity or running water. Growing up in the country, Bill enjoyed fishing and listening to his grandmother read him stories from the Bible.

Bill joined the Navy on February 2, 1957. After spending 20 years in the Navy he retired as Senior Chief Petty officer and transferred to the Fleet Reserve for 10 additional years. He moved his family to Tomball, Texas and began working for Gulf Chemical, which later changed to Chevron in Cedar Bayou, Texas.

Bill enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to fish and won many trophies at various Fishing tournaments, later becoming a guide on Lake Conroe. He also loved to play golf with family and friends and it was on a golf course where he met his second wife, Mary Wilson Wells. Bill had a natural talent for music, mastered several instruments and had the voice of an angel. Bill and Mary loved to travel, but the times they enjoyed the most, was watching their grandchildren in various activities.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents John Henry and Annie Aldermann Manning; his brothers, John Henry Jr. and wife Mary, David and wife Fleta, and his sister Sue Cain and husband Charles. Mr. Manning is survived by his wife and companion of 27 years, Mary Wells Manning; sons, Bill Manning, Jr., Robert Manning and wife Cathy, Dennis Manning and wife Jackie, daughter Angela Perrone and husband John; 9 grandchildren- Joey and wife Raquel Silva, Jennifer Schieble and husband Johnny, Robert “Bo” Manning, Rachel Walton and husband Derek, Trevor Manning, Ian Manning and wife Brittany, Kyle Mullinex, Katelyn Mullinex and partner Wyatt and Michael Perrone, and 9 great grandchildren - Chloe Silva, Jordan Shugert, Jadeyn Schieble, Sam Manning, Isabella Manning, Levi Manning, Sophia Manning, Kenna Walton and Ryker Ray.

Visitation with family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Waltrip Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, in the RL Waltrip Chapel, Rev. Bill Cole, officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Woodlawn Garden of Memories. A reception will be held for family and friends back at Waltrip Funeral Directors following the interment, all are invited.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Manning family.