Billy Frank Newby

He was born June 3, 1936 on Patch Street in Sulphur to Louis and Ona Newby. He was the youngest of four siblings. When he was two his family moved to Gretna, LA where he was raised. In 1954 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and discharged in 1957 when his daughter was born. He eventually moved his family back to Sulphur in 1961 on Patch Street where he built the house they lived in for the remainder of his life.

While on leave in New Orleans in 1956, he met a pretty young thing one Friday night. By the third date with Ella, he proposed. The next Friday, they got married in Biloxi, MS.

Billy worked for Himont (Hercules) for 32 years until he retired as a supervisor in 1993. Three years earlier they had bought a camp on Toledo Bend where they spent every spring. Most of his favorite family memories were at that camp. He loved playing cards at the American Legion, which also he became a member of in 1973; travelling in their motorhome and his little dog, Ralph. However, nothing made him more happy or more proud than his grandsons.

Billy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ella Pryor Newby; daughter, Patricia Petross and husband, Ernie; son, Frank Newby and wife, Shawnette; grandsons, Ernie Wayne Petross and wife, Leslie, Chad Petross and wife, Kelly, Hunter Newby and wife, Angie, Blaine Newby and wife Lindsey, Billy Allen Newby, Clint Sonnier and wife, Jamie and Clayton Sonnier; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Mount Newby.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Newby; sister, Mitzi Newby Matherne and an infant son.

His funeral will be 10am, Friday, March 18, 2016 at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Minister Ray Hyatt will officiate. He will be carried to his final resting place by his grandsons in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South. Visitation will begin Thursday 5pm-9pm and resume Friday, 8am until service time. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.

In Lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made to the benevolence fund at South Sulphur Church of Christ, 3101 South Ruth Street. Sulphur, LA 70665