Graham

Mr. Graham

Billy Clark Graham, age 89 of Thorndale, died Dec. 11, 2022.

A private celebration service of his life was held Jan. 14, 2023, at the place he loved—his home place, in Thorndale— with Daniel Garrison officiating and special music by Robert Lawhorn. Burial followed later that day at I.O.O.F cemetery in Rockdale, where he was laid to rest beside his wife, Mary Joy Graham.

Billy Clark Graham was born Oct. 11, 1933, in the Nile community outside Thorndale to John Wesley and Iva Lee Clark Graham.

He attended the Thorndale public schools, graduating in 1951.

Growing up, Billy loved animals, and one of his daily chores, beginning at the age of 6, was milking the cow every morning before going to school. He was active in the Thorndale FFA Chapter where he received the All-American Farmers of America award his senior year.

Immediately after graduation, he was the first person hired by the Texas Power & Light Company when Alcoa located in Rockdale.

Billy married Mary Joy Timmerman in Rockdale on Aug. 1, 1953.

He proudly served in the United States Army Headquarters Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served as an intelligence specialist from 1953 to 1955 at the Headquarters Company 71st AAA Missile Battalion.

He was joined in Virginia by his new bride and lived offbase about a mile from Mount Vernon.

His army life included working with the Secret Service, being responsible for protecting the nation’s capital.

He and Joy returned home to Milam County, where they lived a short time in Rockdale before returning back to the home place he loved in Thorndale. They purchased the Graham home place, which consisted of about 170 acres, where they enjoyed having large family gatherings and entertaining relatives on birthdays and holidays.

Billy returned to work at TXU, until he retired in 1985 as a utility foreman.

After his retirement, his ranch increased to about 500 acres, where he spent his days doing what he loved most—taking care of his cattle, clearing the land, working in his shop, driving his numerous tractors at his ranch, taking an old piece of equipment or a rundown strip of land and restoring it back to full beauty and spending time with his friends and family.

He was a 64-year Master Mason of the Thorndale AF&AM Lodge No. 978.

Billy helped organize the Southwest Milam Water Co-op in 1969 and served on the board of directors for 30-plus years. He also served over 45 years on the Taylor Soil & Water Conservation Board of Directors.

Billy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joy, on March 29, 2018, of 65 years; and his parents.

Relatives who survive and were committed to being a par t of Billy’s life include his daughter, Darien Graham; grandson Jason Stegemiller and wife Krista; two great-grandchildren, James and Ella Louise Stegemiller; special cousins Bill and Sarah Beall, Ben and Ada Beall, Belinda and Larry Stanley.

Special friends who survive include, but not limited to, Melissa, Ron and Ashley Barcuch, Kenneth and Janet Hees, Wayland and Kathy Clark, Darrell and Anita Ogea, Paula Marak, Annette Warmke, Renee Weise and Layne Clark.

Billy also leaves behind his loyal, beloved dog Happy.

He asked God daily to walk with him and give him guidance. His days began early and his goal in life was to do his best. He always said, “I’ve done the best I could do to make this a better place to live.”

In memory of Billy, please contribute to a charity of your choice.

Kirchenwitz