Billy Bob Brackeen

BILLY BOB BRACKEEN, 76, of Paris, died Saturday January 11, 2014 in Good Shepherd Medical Center of Longview, following a lengthy illness. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct graveside rites at 2:00 p.m. Saturday January 18, 2014 at Meadowbrook Gardens in Paris with Rev. Randall Scott officiating. The family will greet friends at the cemetery following the service.

Billy Bob was born July 23, 1937 in Sulphur Springs, a son of William S. and Bobbie Boyer Brackeen. He was a graduate of Paris High School, then received a degree in Business Administration from East Texas State University. He loved his country, and served honorably in the 49th Armored Division, Co. C Battery, 132nd Artillery of the Texas National Guard. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, and a former member of the Elks Lodge. In his teenage years he went to work in the family business, Brackeen Oil Company, and by his twenties he was in full charge of operations, ultimately becoming the owner. He remained in this position until the company closed in the 1980's.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Brackeen, of Carthage; a son, Bob Brackeen and wife Brigette, of Tyler; two daughters, Kathy Beard, of Paris and Kelly Brackeen and fiancee' James Russell, of Longview; five grandchildren, Julie Figueroa, Caity Brackeen, Rachael Brackeen, Ashley Smith, and Abby Smith; a great-grandson, Hayden Gibbons; a sister, Anna Beth Searock and husband Charles, of Oklahoma City; a step-son, Tim Randall, of Carthage; and a step-daughter, Michele Millwood, of Mt. Pleasant.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions to The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, www.diabetes.org ; or to the Alzheimer's Association, 2630 West Freeway, Ft. Worth, TX 76102 www.alz.org .