Billy Earl Oates

Billy Earl Oates was born on January 16, 1938, in Dallas, Texas, to Jesse Thomas Oates and Rhodie Bennett Oates.  Billy passed away on May 21, 2021, in the hospital in Tyler, Texas, with heart problems and breathing issues.

Billy married his teenage sweetheart, Betty Joyce Oates, on April 28, 1954, and was married for 62 happy years, settled in Eustace, Texas.  Billy was a Mason member for many years and enjoyed doing things for others.  He never met a stranger and would flip you for a quarter at any given time or place.  He loved life and always lived it to the fullest.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Betty Oates, sister Mary Margaret Beasley, sister Charlene Ivy, sister Betty Leach, twin brother William Oates, and brother Ray Oates.

Billy is survived by his three children, Joyce Earlene Byers and husband Vernon, Margie Elaine Leitner and husband Ron, and Eugene Merle Oates and wife Sherry, all of Eustace, Texas; brothers Jesse Oates and Chuckie Oates and wife Glenda; and sister Shirley Oates; six grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and two great-great-grandchildren on the way.

Reverend Chris Quinn will officiate for the Oates family.

Pallbearers are Ronnie Thomas, Scott Stewart, Charles Melton, Bubba Byers, Tony Cook, and Russ Jager.