Billy Joe Rich

Billy Joe Rich, age 83, of Waco, passed away Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Thursday, August 30, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Gholson, with Rev. James Stevens officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Gholson Cemetery conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Billy was born July 31, 1935 in Gholson, the son of Teddy and Edith (Odom) Rich. He was a graduate of West High School and attended McLennan Community College. On December 27, 1955 he was united in marriage to Mary Black in Waco. Billy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gholson. He served in the United States Army for 20 years before retiring in 1974, then worked for the McLennan County Sheriff's Department for 12 years. Billy enjoyed spending time with family, woodworking, gun collecting, traveling, making people laugh (even in his final days), making friends, and all church activities. He was a member of VFW Post 2148. Billy is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Edith Ann Daniel; and a sister, Celia Ann Foreman. Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary Rich; two children, Kathy Bartlett and husband Steve of China Spring, and Emily Parsons and husband Michael Prestwood of Waco; a brother, Jimmy Rich and wife Sue; close cousin, Dorothy Jean Roberts; grandchildren, Larissia Perrucci and husband Kym, Lee-Ann Dunn and husband Christopher, Audrey Bartlett, Joey Bartlett and wife Analynn, and Christine Canales and husband Michael; great-grandchildren, James, Xander, Jude and Isabel; and many other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Andres Arazoza, Michael Prestwood, Christopher Dunn, Stanley Smith, Vance Slough, Michael Canales and Don Goates. The family would like to send a special thank you to the nurses of Providence Hospital and Providence Hospice Place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gholson.