William Edward Petty Sr., better known as Billy, went to be with his Lord December 28, 2018. Billy was born August 11, 1929 in Houston, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara Lee Petty; parents, Norman and May Petty; siblings, Norman Petty, Richard Petty, Maydell Amanda Schaefer and Barbara Ann Moore. He is survived by his children, Curtis Petty and wife Brenda, William Petty, Jr. and wife Janina, Carroll Hebert and husband Doug; grandchildren, Kristi Adams, Darrell Hebert, Amanda Chance, Nathanael Petty, Dannye Reigh Petty, and Pamela Swem; 15 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. A funeral service will be held at 12 PM on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble, Texas. Interment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park in Humble, Texas.
Billy married Barbara Lee Davidson on August 5, 1949, in Houston, Texas. After graduation from high school, Billy went to work for Hughes Tool Company where he was retired with over 35 years of service. After moving to Montgomery, Texas in 1976 he continued to drive to Houston for another eight years before retiring in 1985. Billy then went to work for Westland Oil and retired again in 1995. Billy and Barbara moved to Willis, Texas in 1992 and eventually went full time park hosting in several Texas State Parks. Billy loved camping and spending time with his beloved wife Barbara. They moved to their last place of residence in Willis, living next to son Curtis Petty. He loved Fords, any kind of Ford. He loved working on them, reading about them, all things Ford. Billy spent the last few years of his life advising his son Curtis on how to build his ‘40 Ford truck, so it would be just like Henry Ford would have built it. He loved his family and would do anything he could to help his children and grandchildren. He loved watching a good John Wayne western and sharing that love of western-themed movies with his grandchildren. During the 10 years he cared for his wife Barbara with Alzheimer’s, he prayed with her and watched church services on TV, seeking God daily. In lieu of flowers, Billy’s family request donation to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.