Billy Neal

Billy Ben Neal, 83, of Hamilton died at his home June 20, 2019.

Services were June 26 at Harper-Talasek Funeral Chapel in Killeen with Mike Neal officiating. Internment was in Killeen Memorial Park.

Mr. Neal was born July 30, 1935, in Hamilton, the son of Mark S. and Ola B. Barnett Neal.

He entered the U.S. Army at age 17 and fought in the Korean War. He returned to Killeen and met and married Doris A. Byrd in 1959. They have been together 63 years.

He was a heavy equipment operator and worked for civil service on Fort Hood for 35 years and retired to his hometown of Hamilton where he enjoyed raising cattle.

Other hobbies were digging for arrowheads and artifacts with his best friend Bob Daniel, fishing and hunting in West Texas.

He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend who had a sparkle in his eye, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents’ a son, Tim Dewayne Neal; and four sisters, Loren Neal, Myrna Neal, Loyce Kuehnle and Janelle Byrd.

He is survived by his wife Doris of Hamilton; son Mike and wife Deloris of Hamilton; daughters Kim Rackley and husband Bob of Harker Heights and Becky Neal of Hamilton’ sisters Wilma Johnson of Waco, Nancy Schoryer of Cleburne, Clota Cates of Cache, Oklahoma, and Ann Fogle of Harker Heights; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Billy Neal, Timothy Rackley, Brett Neal, Mikey Neal, Jacob Rackley and Brandon Place.