Billy Joe Burns

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The Angelic Hosts came for Billy Joe Burns on May 23, 2018, at his Park Manor residence in DeSoto, among loving family and devoted friends. Viewing was held Friday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. at the chapel. Funeral Services were held Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m. in the Teague Church Of Christ, 1001 N. 8th Ave. Brother Jared Matlock officiated and the Rev. Roderick Cunningham was the Eulogist. Interment was in the Antioch Memorial Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors. Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague, provided the professional care for the Burns Family. Billy was the fourth of 11 children born to Jessie Burns Sr. and Bethenia Carter Burns in Freestone County near Fairfield, Texas, on December 29, 1936. As a youth he grew up on a farm, where he stayed busy planting and harvesting crops. Billy professed Christ as his Savior and Lord at a young age and became a member of the Fairfield Baptist Church. Billy also. Found time to entertain his family with jokes and enjoyed going fishing with his brothers. He received his education at Dogan High School in Fairfield and later. Received his GED. Billy left Fairfield in 1956 and after spending a brief period. In Dallas he joined the U.S. Army. He received his military training in North Carolina, Washington and Alaska, and he was honorably discharged in October 1957. He moved back to Fairfield where he met and married the love of his life, Joycie L. Jones, in July 1958 and enjoyed a 59-year marriage. From this union, four children were born and the family soon moved to Teague where Billy met a lifelong friend in A.G. Sartor and bought property on the west side of town where they built their home. Billy worked at the Teague Brick & Tile plant with many other friends prior to joining the Texas Department of Transportation in 1969 where he worked as a highway maintenance technician for 25 years and retired in 1996. He loved his family and taught them many. Fundamentals of life, including how to work hard. He always offered good advice to family and friends. Billy particularly enjoyed fishing with Claude Philpott, raising cattle, playing dominos and spending time with family. After retirement, he and Joycie traveled some and cherished spending time with grandchildren and participating in church activities. Billy joined the Westside Church of Christ and was baptized in faith on Feb. 26, 1978. He was a member of Freestone Masonic. Lodge. And was a City Council member in Teague for a brief period. During retirement he also enjoyed van-driving to transport Freestone County elderly to doctor appointments. The burns house was always open and Billy is known for his generous spirit of sharing, quick wit and humor, and keeping his family united. He also loved to barbeque, cook and eat purple hull peas, and ice cream. He leaves to cherish his memory. His wife, Joycie L. Burns of Desoto; sons, Bobby Burns and wife Stephanie of Teague, James Burns and wife Angela of The Woodlands; daughters, Kathryn Love and husband Edward of Desoto, and Patricia Burns Simon of Teague; grandchildren, Melanie Abor, CAssey Daniels, Michael, Timmy and Brandon Campbell, Brandi Burns Bridges, James C. Burns, Kendall Love, Trentston Simon and Tiffanie Simon. He has nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Helen Maxine Willis of Fort Worth, Leonard George Burns of Fairfield, Loutish Burns of Missouri City, Jessie burns Jr. of Missouri City, Joyce burns Spears of Houston and half-brother Frank Morton of Fairfield; and other relatives and friends. He was parents, Bethenia Carter Burns and Jessie Burns Sr.; siblings, Fred Wayne Burns, Christene Burns Gibson, Floyd Ray Burns and Paula Burns Lott. 

The Teague Chronicle

319 Main Street • P.O. Box 631
Teague, Texas 75860
Office: (254) 739-2141
Fax: (254) 739-2144