Billy Joe Kelly

BETHANY, LA - Funeral services for Mr. Billy Joe Kelly, 88, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Methodist Cemetery in Panola, TX. Rev. Mark Bevill and Rev. Robert Beadle will be officiating. Visitation with the family will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home. Billy was born in Shreveport, LA on July 25, 1928 to Bose and Lizzie Nevills Kelly and passed away from a short illness on January 4, 2017. Billy proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was a carpenter by trade and a member of the Carpenters Union Local #764 for more than 40 years. Billy was always tinkering on something, whether it be a bird house or helping someone in need. In his younger years he enjoyed archery. He was always up for a good laugh, even if it was at his expense. Billy was a good sport, an avid outdoorsman, loved riding the 4-wheeler with Lisa and very much the family man. He saw the best in everyone and never met a stranger. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Bose and Lizzie Kelly; first wife, Margie Farrar; sister, Ruby Beadle; half-brothers, William George "Bob" Kelley, Bose Frank Kelley, Jr., and Edgar Rew Kelley; half-sisters, Martiel Kelley Campbell and Maxine Kelley. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 21 years, Mablene D. Kelly; son, Tracy Kelley and wife, Jennie; step-daughters, Shiela Gibson and Gayla Thaxton and husband, Neil; grandchildren, Joey "Joe" Kelley, Katie Lee Kelley; step-grandchildren, Courtney Buckner and Will Berry; brothers, Louis Kelley and wife, Carla, and John Kelley and wife, Charlotte; sister, Norma Franks and husband, Bill. Billy also has numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family that will miss him dearly. Honoring Billy as pallbearers will be Scott Franks, Glen Kelley, John Kelley, Zach Kelly, Steve Kirkland, and Robert Beadle.