Billy Gene Rose of Whitney, Texas passed away July 25, 2019 at the age of 94. He was born on January 5, 1925 to Clarence F. Rose and Mary Ruby (Roper) Rose in Whitney, Texas. He entered the United States Navy on April 16, 1943 as an aircraft engine mechanic. Billy received a Purple Heart from injuries he sustained on the USS St. LO in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II. In 1946, Billy married Betty Jane Howard in Roscoe, Texas. Billy was a member of the Freemason and held the rank of Master Mason, American Legionnaries, The Order of the Sons of Hermann and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Billy later married Sue G. Hughes on May of 1961. He worked as a plant manager for Bruin Petroleum in Houston, Texas and later as a salesman. Billy was a long-standing member with Mission Baptist Church in Whitney, Texas.
He is survived by his daughters, Sharon Wightman and husband, Jess of North Augusta, South Carolina and Susan Williamson and husband, Richard of Lake Hills, Texas; grandchildren, Jesse Wightman, Joel Wightman, John Edins, Shane Edins, Jamie Hartsfield; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Madeline Geron and Marynell Byars-Edwards; first wife, Betty Jane Rose; and second wife, Sue G. Rose.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Hillcrest Garden of Memory, 3838 State Highway 22, Hillsboro, Texas 76645.