Billy Rex Pennington

Billy Rex Pennington, of Groesbeck (and Thornton), passed away at his home, on Monday, December 20, 2010, following a lengthy battle with cancer, with loved ones present. He was 70. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, at the Old Union Cemetery, with Reverend Tracy Sims officiating. Pallbearers will be Chad Pennington, Clint Pennington, Dwayne Pennington, Alton Dunn, Gary Bielamowicz, Boyson Theiss, and Donald Ray Pennington. Billy was born July 25, 1940, to Roy Sam Pennington and Ruby Lorena (Dunn) Pennington in Spring, Tx. He grew up and attended school in the Spring area. Having lost his father at a young age, he learned to work while he was young. In the sixties, he served in the U. S. Army in the 82nd. Airborne, where he enjoyed sky diving, and completed 57 jumps during his service years. After the Army, he was a welder in the fabrication industry, building oil field equipment, off-shore drilling rigs, and spent a lot of time working in the Houston Ship Channel, building tanks. Around 1989, Billy moved to Limestone County, working with Gene Ray Alston and his brother, Joe, building bulkheads and boat houses in the Lake Limestone Area, until his retirement in 2002. Billy was united in marriage with Carol Renee Stevens on September 9, 2000, and they made their home in Groesbeck. Billy was a hunter and a fisherman, and also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes. He was a Baptist, and attended the Central Baptist Church of Thornton. Billy Rex was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Leamon Roy Pennington, Raymond Edward Pennington, Cecil Ray Pennington, Russell Dean Pennington, and Thomas Wayne Pennington. He is survived by his wife, Carol Pennington of Groesbeck; son, Billy Dwayne Pennington of Conroe; son Raymond Eugene Pennington and wife Tina of Conroe; daughter, Norman Jean Carrell and husband David of Montromery; and daughter, Tina Marie Hall of Conroe; eleven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; four stepsons, Gary Jim Gordon and wife Priscilla of Groesbeck, Edward Paul Gordon and wife Amy of Flynn, Marshall Don Gordon of Flynn, and Danny Thomas Gordon of Groesbeck; twelve step grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; three sisters, Elma Gertrude Pollard, Ruby Eloise Belke, and Wanda Lee Bielamowicz; and one remaining brother, Joe Carol Pennington and wife Gayle of Groesbeck; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family, and friends.