Bill Jeffrey
Billy (Bill) Frank Jeffrey passed to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Fort Worth after a brief illness.
A memorial service was held Friday, Dec. 15, at Trinity Baptist Church in Fort Worth with Rev. Clint Hopson officiating. A graveside service was Dec. 16 in Center Valley Cemetery, part of which was donated by the Jeffrey family, officiated by Rev. Jimmy McNeill.
Bill was born June 26, 1933, in Hamilton, to Benjamin Franklin Jeffrey and Lillie Mae Dolloff Jeffrey.
He was educated in the Fort Worth school district and graduated honors in ROTC program at Technical High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S, Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss throughout his service as a draftsman. His work was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Mercury Space Program, which preceded NASA and can now be publicly acknowledged.
He married Nelda Lee Johnson on Sept. 5, 1953, at the home of the groom’s parents in Fort Worth. Two children were born to this union: Billy Frank (Skip) Jeffrey and DeJa Diana Stelzer.
Following his discharge from the Arny, he was employed by General Dynamics as a draftsman/engineer, testing in wind tunnels within the U.S. Later he worked for JC Penney in electronics and then furniture before his retirement.
After retiring he was able to pursue his love of collecting sports cards as well as sports memorabilia through his own shop in Arlington.
Bill was saved and baptized at an early age. He led a life of selfless service, helping anyone and everyone in any way possible. Bill loved his church family at his church home of Trinity Baptist. He continued to serve anywhere he was needed as long as possible, even up until death.
If he could leave you with one message today, it might be love unconditionally; keep your eyes focused on our savior Jesus Christ; and everything will fall wonderfully into place. Pray unceasingly and continue serving to the end.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nelda; his precious son Billy Frank, Jr. (Skip); son-in-law Wes Stelzer; his parents; his inlaws, Harvey (Bud) Johnson and Viola (O’Neal) Johnson; brother-in-law Travis Dean Johnson; and sister-in-law Nell (Soules) Johnson.
Left behind to cherish his memory are spouse Bobbie Eilers; daughters DeJa Diana (Jeffrey) Stelzer, Donna Kay Decross (Melvin); sister-inlaw Betty Johnson; grandchildren Matthew Mitchell (Kimberly) and Amanda Hadley (Tony); great-grandchildren Kai and Ash Mitchell and Conner and Reese Hadley; nephews Darin DeCross (Tanya), Doug Johnson, Derek DeCross (Ranea); niece Laura Wisenvitz (Barry); and extended family Brenda Redding (Lee) and Rick Eilers (Sharon); numerous great-nephews and -nieces and a host of other family and friends.
Honorary pallbearers were Doyle Barcroft, Leonard Kirkland, Rick Eilers, Tommy Bradshaw, Randy Dolloff, Michael Dolloff, Jeff Cody and Mike Cody.
Pallbearers were Danny Barnett, Darin Decross, Derek DeCross, Doug Johnson, Matthew Mitchell and Jimmy McNeill.
