Billy Ray Castleberry

Billy Ray Castleberry passed away at home on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, an end to his short battle with cancer, at age 75. Visitation will be Friday, March 7, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Faulkenberry Cemetery under the Pavilion. Brother Glen Easterly of the Church of Christ at Old Union will officiate. Billy Ray was born August 28, 1938 at Thornton to Luther (Luke) and Helen (Cox) Castleberry, one of seven children, and grew up in Thornton. Billy was a veteran, who served in the U. S. Air Force, where he was an air craft mechanic. One night at the VFW in Calvert, Billy met the love of his life, Frankie Vick, and they were united in marriage in June 1969. Frankie’s children, Chester, Kathy and Douglas, became Billy’s children; he raised them and loved them as his very own. Using his natural talent and mechanic skills he learned in the Air Force, Billy worked all his life as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. He worked for Limestone County, Mexia State School, individuals, and retired as the city mechanic of Groesbeck. Many years he worked two jobs, day and night, as did his wife, to provide for his family. He was a hard worker, who also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was also a good cook. He enjoyed the grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved life and loved his family. Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Willie and sister Darlene; and his wife, Frankie Castleberry. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Chester and Melissa Aills of Groesbeck; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Michael Lewis of New Hope; his son, Douglas Aills of Groesbeck; grandchildren, Christopher Aills and wife Lauren, Keith Aills, Michael Ray Lewis and wife Krista, David Lewis and wife April, Jason Sandell and wife Amber; great grandchildren, Tyler Lewis, Mabrey Lewis and Chandler Aills; three sisters, Jessie Stockton, Shirley Freeman and husband Roger Freeman, and Bobbie Lenamond all of Groesbeck; brother, Buck Castleberry of Groesbeck; and niece, Nancy Stockton of Groesbeck, and numerous other nieces and nephews.