Funeral service is 11a.m. Saturday, October 16th at the First Baptist Church of Alvord, with Brother Bill Cleveland officiating. Family will receive friends 7-8 p.m. Friday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home.
Bill was born on December 2, 1943, to Clovis and Margie McElroy in Shirley, Arkansas. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Texas in 1961. Bill married the love of his life, Winnie, on April 5, 1963, and they raised three children. He worked for Big 3 Industries for 33 years. He and his wife lived in Arlington until 1990, when they moved to Wise County to their home, Shady Oaks Ranch (The Smanch). They started Independent Welding Supply, Inc., in 1996. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Alvord.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 47 years, Winnie McElroy of Alvord;, son, Billy McElroy, Jr. and his wife Nancy; daughters Pennie Futrell and husband Price; and Amie de Lathouder and husband Johnny; brother Leo McElroy and wife Judy; sisters Glenda Betz, Gennie Bauer and husband Ken; Shirley Freeman and husband Bill; grandchildren Billy Ray, III and wife Laura, Wesley, Corey, Chelsea, Chase, Alexi and Maddux; great-grandson Caleb and a soon-to-be-born great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of lifelong friends, whom he loved dearly.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathy Archa, and an infant brother.
Family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, Wise County Unit, P.O. Box 428, Decatur, Texas 76234 or to Bill's favorite charity, LHBS, which benefits research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, 201 Patrick Creek, Weatherford, Texas 76087.
Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home 940/627-5959
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McElroy Family,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of such a Charismatic and Genuine Man that Mr. McElroy was. Always remember the good times and the joy he gave to every person he met.
He was one of a kind.
Sincerely,
DR. David B. Russ
Games Operations Manager
State Fair of Texas
DRuss@BigTex.com
P.O. Box 15009
Dallas, Texas 75315
Office Phone No.: (214) 421-8740
Metro Phone No.: (972) 263-8374
Fax No: (214) 565-4039
www.BigTex.com
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To the family of Billy Ray McElroy - You are being thought of and prayed for in a special way today. I mingle my tears of sadness with yours, and am so very proud to know that I have a wonderful cousin to look up to in this great man. What an inspiration and legacy he's left us. I feel like I am far better off that I knew him, and am a better person for it, too. I just wanted to go on record saying that I love you all, and am here to help in any way I can.
Thanks, Cousin Steve Trawick
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