Billy was born in Texas as 1 of 9 children and spent most of his childhood in Louisiana. He joined the Navy at age 17 and then 2 years later transferred to the Army (which later became the Air Force.) He gave 22 years to his country of which he was very proud and retired as a captain. After military retirement, he worked in finance for a local financial company for many years before retiring. He was a proud member of the Masons, the Livingston-Hills Ferry Lodge #236, in which he was a member for over 60 years.
He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, dancing, and playing cards. He also enjoyed spending time at their winter home in Yuma Arizona and summers at their home in Merced. In his later years, he loved to trade his wife’s pies for the privilege of picking the excess fruits and vegetables from the fields of his farming friends, which he then loved to share. He enjoyed spending time with friends at the local senior centers and donated many hours cooking meals for all to enjoy. He also enjoyed cooking for family.
Billy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Helen Mitchell, 3 brothers, Earl Mitchell, Doyle Mitchell, and Harland Mitchell, and a special niece Pam & Rick Cathy.
Billy had no children of his own but was blessed with 3 loving stepchildren and their children. Linda & Tim Pellissier and their children: Tiffanie & Jim Mooney and Tim Pellissier Jr. (Tanner, Elise, and Reagan); Leslie & Dawn Nordman and his children Jennifer Nordman and Julie Nordman along with stepchildren Stefanie & Jerod Kuhr (Alissa), Dustin Donnell and Katie Donnell; and Larry & Jo Nordman and their children Jason Nordman (Elizabeth, Joseph and Hunter) Jamie Rodriguez (Laurie, Angel, Jesse, Richard and LaRena), Larry Jo Maddox (Brian and Marcus), Bobby & Sadie Nordman (Hannah and Cody.)
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 17th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced.
Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday April 18th at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1480 B Street, Merced.
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