Billie Bill Joe Speer

Services for Billie Joe Speer, 73, of Killeen, will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Killeen with Rev David Leach officiating. Burial will follow at Killeen Memorial Park Cemetery in Killeen.

Mr. Speer passed away Thursday, July 14, 2011 in a Temple hospital.

Bill was born Jan 24, 1938 in Iredell, TX to Martin Luther Speer and Jewel Gladys Chapman Speer. He spent most of his childhood in Walnut Springs, TX. He served more than 22 years in the United States Army, retiring in 1978 at Fort Hood. During his time in the military he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, among others. He married Irene O. Schnack in June of 1984 in Killeen. After retirement from the Army he was employed with the Civil Service as a Maintenance Mechanic at Fort Hood and retired in 2006. Bill was active with the Texas Square Dancers Association and had been a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church since the early 1970’s.

Survivors include his wife Irene O. Speer; three sons, Billie Joe Speer Jr. and John David Speer, both of Killeen and Don Leslie Speer of North Richland Hills; a step-son, Raymond Schnack and a step-daughter, Cindy Coffell both of Killeen; six grandchildren, Brooke Speer, Kayla Keogh, Jocelyn Brown, Stephanie Arsenault, Jessica Bernardo, and R.J. Schnack; and one great-granddaughter, Ashilee Woods.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 17, 2011, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.