Billy Charles McKee, oldest native of Mabank at ninety-two years, joined his sweetheart Barbara Joyce Anthony McKee, in Heaven on October 3, 2019. He is survived by his three children: Joel McKee of Austin, Ken McKee of Oak Grove, Missouri and Jana McKee Riggins of Pflugerville. He had nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Bill was born at home on the family farm in Mabank on September 5, 1927 to Frank Sandford and Jessie Mae McKee, the oldest of three children born to this marriage. He attended Mabank public schools, graduating in 1944 at sixteen years of age. A year later, at seventeen, he entered the United States Navy and served in World War II.
Following his military service, he attended Henderson County Junior College and North Texas Agricultural College where he studied engineering. When Chance Vought Aircraft moved its operation to Texas, he was one of the first Texans hired. He worked there from 1948 – 1992 and was named Employee of the Year in 1988. Later, he became a business owner and cattle rancher.
Bill became a member of First Baptist Church of Mabank in 1940 and married Joyce Anthony there on January 21, 1949 where they became active members. He served as a Sunday School teacher since 1960 and a deacon, currently Deacon Emeritus. He was a member of Roddy Lodge #734 for seventy years, where he received the Golden Trowel Award. He was a member of the Mabank Chapter #435, Mabank Council #355, and Taylor Commandery #85 for fifty-plus years. He was a 32nd Degree Dallas Scottish Rite, and a lifetime member of the Hella Temple Shrine. For sixty-five years, Bill was also active in the Mabank Order of the Eastern Star #821, serving in the role of Worthy Patron for thirty-plus years.
Married seventy years to his sweetheart, Bill loved Mabank, Texas with his whole heart, the great USA and his life was founded on love of God, Family and Country. He loved rodeos, the outdoors, hunting and fishing, antique cars, quarter horses and border collie pups but most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. His life’s motto was “always looking forward, never backward.”
Pallbearers are his grandsons, Mark Riggins of College Station; Matthew Riggins of Princeton; Joshua Riggins of Leander; Caleb Riggins of Pflugerville; Jason McKee of Kansas City, Missouri, Eric McKee of Austin, great-grandson Landry Fee of Coppell and great friend John Carter Teague of Mabank. Honorary pallbearers include Larry Teague, Randy Teague, Robby Teague, Wayne Anthony, Steve Anthony, Larry Anderson, Jerry Anderson, Midge Odom, Keith Bradshaw and Billy Lennamond. Mr. McKee was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; his parents Frank and Mae Johnson McKee; his sister Frances Nell McKee Bednar, younger brother Ires Earl McKee and son-in-law Johnny Riggins.
