Thinking of you and your family.

Dianne Taylor Hoskinson (APCO)

Billy was with me strapping into the RF84"ThunderFlash" back in 1969. In my memory he is still with me. I was able to talk with Billy numerous times this last year. Billy was a good man and I will miss him.

We will miss you Mr. Billy and our sympathies go to Mrs. Sue and family. Laurie and Bob McLean

To my friend Billy "Chief" Self.  I will truly miss you neighbor. When I
first met him about 11 years ago, he introduced himself to me as Chief
(CMSgt) and I've referred to him as Chief from that point on.  He was the
best neighbor I've ever had and I know there will never be another like Sue
and him.  I learned so much from him and admired him not only as a friend,
but as a man and a husband.  He taught me things I never learned from my
own father and I put those things into play today. He made a difference in
my life and I loved him for that.  I remember a couple of years ago in
particular, he saw me working on a covering for my lawnmowers and ATVs; he
opened my gate like he often did and said, "You don't know what you're
doing!" I smiled and then laughed and he proceeded to climb up on the
covering framing and help me.  He taught me how to put the shingles up and
we talked and shared until Sue told him to get down because it was hot.
She brought him some water and he came back out and we finished.  You see
his telling me "I didn't know what I was doing" was a way of him offering
his help.  He took great joy in that.  So not so long ago, I had a deck
built, I extended the deck 10 more feet and after Chief's inspection, he
told me I did better than the builder...I had his approval.  You see he
knew how to build you up and encourage you...I loved him for that. He
treated me and my family like family and we so truly miss him.  Since that
time we've shared dinners and visits and great conversations.  We've since
moved away, but we still came down.  The last time I saw Chief, he was
helping me again, telling me “I didn't know what I was doing” and this time
he was really right! But he pulled up a chair and proceeded to tell me how
to complete the job, he was struggling, but he was teaching.  I will always
remember the lessons you taught and the love you shared.  You were like a
father to me and I thank you for taking the time on me. You were not only
the best neighbor; you were the best friend, the best mentor, and the best
man I've known.  It breaks our heart knowing we will not see you again, but it brings us joy knowing you're with your Father and you're no longer
struggling.  You've left a legacy here and you will always be remembered.

We hope you find comfort in knowing that Angela, JaLysa, Terrance and I will always be here for Sue; we love you both.

The Self family is in our thoughts and prayers.  With our deepest sympathies.
From the Maxwell-Gunter Chiefs' Group.

To my friend Billy "Chief" Self.  I will truly miss you neighbor. When I first met him about 11 years ago, he introduced himself to us as Chief(CMSgt) and I've referred to him as Chief from that point on.  He was the best neighbor I've ever had and I know there will never be another like Sue and him.  I learned so much from him and admired him not only as a friend, but as a man and a husband.  He taught me things I never learned from my own father and I put those things into use today. He made a difference in my life and I loved him for that.  I remember a couple of years ago in particular, he saw me working on a covering for our lawnmowers and ATVs; he opened our gate like he often did and said, "You don't know what you're doing!" I smiled and then laughed and he proceeded to climb up on the covering framing and help me.  He taught me how to put the shingles up and we talked, joked and shared until Sue told him to get down because it was hot.  She brought him some water and he came (snuck) back out and we finished.  You see his telling me "I didn't know what I was doing" was a way of him offering his help.  He took great joy in helping/teaching.  Not so long after that, I had a deck built, I extended the deck 10 more feet and after Chief's inspection, he told me I did better than the builder...I had his approval!  You see he knew how to build you up and encourage you...I loved him for that. He treated me and my family like his own and we so truly miss him.  Since that time we've shared dinners and visits and great conversations.  We've since moved away, but we still come down.  The last time I saw Chief, he was helping me again, telling me “I didn't know what I was doing” and this time he was really right! But he pulled up a chair and proceeded to tell me how to complete the job, he was struggling, but he was teaching.  I will always remember the lessons you taught and the love you shared.  You were like a father to me and I thank you for taking the time on me. You were not only the best neighbor; you were the best friend, the best mentor, and the best man I've known.  It breaks my heart I won't see your face again, but it brings me joy knowing you're with your Father and you're no longer struggling.  You've left a legacy here and you will always be remembered.  --- The Smiths

Billy was a kind,wonderful,and gentle giant whom I loved and adored over the years.He treated me as if I was his own
grandaughter.I will always love and miss my Billy boo

Mr. Billy was like a 3rd grandfather, he was my protector and always gave me guidance. He will truly be missed. But he is in Heaven with a "To-Do" List, fixing and building his way through the Pearly Gates. Mr. Billy, you will be missed but not forgotten, gone but continually loved. Mrs. Sue, I love you and am praying for you.

Sue and family, May God bless you at this difficult time. You are in our prayers.

Sue, I'm thinking of and praying for you.

Billy Self was one of a kind and well known at Dannelly ANG Base. I first met Billy in 1977 when I took a full time job in Security Police at Dannelly. I was making rounds one night in the Hangar and begain to hear sounds. I was told that the Base Hangar was Haunted and I just made the statement "RIGHT" and went on checking the building. One year the Base had an Open House and I took my 3 kids to the Open House to see the Planes and where Daddy worked. We were in the Hangar and I told my Kids that the Hangar was haunted and come to find out Sgt. Billy Self was standing behind us and stated that it was just the Spirits of Departed Airmen that worked at Dannelly and still Serving their Country. I'm sure that Chief Master Sergeant Billy Self has reported for Duty and will continue to Serve his Country.

You are in our Prayers daily, and in our Hearts hourly'...

With Caring Thoughts, At this Difficult Time. May the Lord bless you and keep you. A message of sent in Sympathy, and though the words are few, Still may they help to ease the loss of one so dear to you. The Stinson's.

While we have only been members of Trinity United Methodist Church for less than a year, we have been praying for you.  Now you are with Jesus, Mr. Billy, and how wonderful that is for you. No more pain and suffering.  We thank you for your service to our Country and will continue to pray for your family.

Gayle and Margaret Clark
Millbrook

My sincere condolences to the entire Self family.  He was a dedicated member of the ANG.  May Billy's memory be a blessing to those who knew him.

i remember Billy well from my own ANG days.  He was always a gentleman and a good friend. He was a dedicated Guardsman and served his country with pride.

I am pleased to know he was a member of Prattville UMC, but most of all that he was a Christian.  Rest in peace with God.

When I joined the Guard in 1965, it did not take long to learn of Billy, he was a Gaint of a man with a Big heart. Billy loved the flight line, and the people he worked around, (and he could pull a joke on you quick,). He will be missed by all, my Condolences to the family, your guard buddy "Mo" Moseley.

A giant of a man, in more ways than the literal, who guided me as a Lieutenant, befriended me me as I matured in his unit, and supported me in my evolving roles in my 23 years with him. I flew the airplanes that he nurtured and provided for me, and I did my best to never let him down in that regard. A smile from Billy meant the world to anyone who was the recipient. It also meant that you had done right by the system and the "code" that bound us all together. Hard, dedicated work was his middle name, and he is sorely missed by all all of us who knew him well. Condolences to the family from us all.
J. Scott Payne

During my time at Dannelly Billy left an indelible mark on the organization that will not be forgotten for many years. One of the old timers that wrestled with some obstinate jets under extreme and difficult conditions. May he be peacefully at rest. O Johnson

Billy Self was THE MAN on the flight line at Dannelly for many years. He was the main man, and he knew and loved his job.  Without Billy and his associates on the line, the pilots could have never gotten the jets in the air.  Billy was loved by all---his personality was the best and matched only by his huge expertise and experience.  Billy was a man all of us former pilots at Dannelly enjoyed, and he will indeed be missed.  Glenda and I extend to Billy's entire family our best during this difficult time.  May God bless each family member.  Billy was THE MAN !!!.

God speed Billy. Thanks for the friendship and leadership at Dannelly while I was there. We will miss you,    Reed Lutz   Lakewood, Colorado

OBITUARY

Billy Frank Self

June 3, 1935 – February 12, 2013

Leak Memory Chapel

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