Bill Lewis

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Billy Ray Lewis, Sr., 80, of Galesburg, died at 2:30 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2019 at Hillcrest South Hospital in Tulsa.

He was born September 25, 1938 in Dennis, to C. C. Lewis and Pauline (Ringle) Lewis Lahey. He grew up in Parsons where he attended school, later finishing high school in Altamont.

On March 28, 1959 he married the love of his life and best friend DeEtta DeCow at the First Baptist Church in Parsons. They observed 60 years of marriage in March. They became the parents of three beautiful children.

Bill was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company from July of 1959 until his retirement in July of 1992. He and DeEtta spent most of their early years with their children camping, attending Boy Scout events, fishing, water skiing and enjoying the little things of life. He loved horses and raising cattle.

Later in life their happiest times were when their grandkids were over fishing, learning to drive, farming and hosting family gatherings. “Grandpa” believed family was everything and life was too short to not enjoy every moment. He truly enjoyed laughter, jokes and listening to everyone’s life stories.

Survivors include his wife, DeEtta (DeCow) Lewis; children, Bill Lewis, Jr. and wife Tammy, of Galesburg and Paula Ballew and husband Don, of Independence; grandchildren, AJ Mattix and wife Kristie, Mike Anderson and wife Sam, DeEtta Drake and husband Rick, Shania Lewis and Billy Lewis III; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Hailey Mattix, Case Smith and Dalton Anderson; two brothers, Bob Lewis and wife Jane of Desert Hot Springs, CA and Jim Lahey of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Preceding him in death is his daughter, Teresa Kae Astbury, mother, Pauline Lahey and step-father, John Lahey.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, with Rev. Garrett Lahey officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday until 8 p.m. at their convenience. Memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shrine for the benefit of Shriner’s Hospitals. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.