Billy Ray Willingham 93, of Abilene, Texas, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Windcrest Health and Rehabilitation in Abilene.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, in the Bailey Howard Funeral Home Chapel in Clyde, Texas, with his nephew, Ervin Lee Bates officiating.  Burial will follow at the Oplin Cemetery in Oplin, Texas. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Bill was born November 29, 1930, in Oplin, Texas, son of the late Samuel Tivis Willingham and Etta Boston.  Bill graduated from Jacksboro Texas High School, and also graduated from Porterville College in Porterville, California.  He met Ina Lou Howard in Porterville and they were married in 1952.  He had many endeavors.  His first work in California was in the Grocery Store business.  He became a manager of a grocery store, but returned to Abilene, Texas in 1967.  He had many business interests and was successful in Texas in the oil business as well.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ina Willingham of Abilene; two special great grandsons, Harley Ray York and Thomas Lee Willingham. He also raised his great granddaughter, the late Jessalynn Star Sturgill. He is also survived by his two daughters, Sandra White; grandchildren, Jessica Denison, Lindsay Denison, Weston Denison and his children Braxton, Devine, Jae'zion and Cash Marshall; daughter, Susan Boyd; grandchildren, Sarah Lynn Boyd Reid and her husband Dylan and grandson, Zachary Boyd.