Billy "Bill" Phelps

Billy “Bill” Phelps, 88, crossed over to meet his eternally loving creator whom he was looking forward to communing with for eternity.

Excited to be reunited with all those that predeceased him which included his beloved father William Phelps, loving mother Fern Lindamood Phelps, son Don Phelps, stepson Salvador Martinez, and brother Lloyd Phelps. He was also excited at the prospect of reuniting with his former pets of all types and horses which he was convinced would meet him at the edge of heaven waiting to greet him into the great life beyond.

Bill is survived by his ex-wife Janie Phelps whom he was married to for 25 years, loving and grateful stepson Lyndon Phelps, son Tommy Phelps, his son Don's wife Rachelle and their daughters Tamra, April, Shasta, additional grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, some of whom he never got to meet because of his inability to travel in his last days. To those, he wanted to make sure that they would know that he sends them his love.

Born in the middle of the great depression in Donna Texas, Bill grew up in Harlingen Texas on a farm where his Father grew different crops and also had time to run his own Auto Mechanic business. Times were tough but the family did well through hard work and in no small measure thanks to the efforts of his mother Fern who would bake pies for the local grocery stores and would donate some of the proceeds to the destitute.

Bill, acquired his own brand at the age of 14, and raised his own cattle for a few years but the Korean war was looming and he decided to enlist in the Navy in the mid 1950s. After an Honorable discharge, he did several jobs and eventually settled on trucking and working with heavy machinery. He owned his own trucking business on and off for several years before his eventual retirement in 2000.

As a very active Mason and Shriner in the 1980s and '90s, he enjoyed working in the community with his lodge brothers and helping others in any way that he could be of service. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others if he could and always made it a point to never turn away a beggar on the street if they asked for food money. He reunited with the love of his life, his ex-wife Janie, a few years after their divorce and they lived together along with their son Lyndon in the East Mountains where Bill was always doted over and cared for through the healthy times and the ill times until his death just one day into his last admittance at the Veterans hospital where he passed holding his son Lyndon's hand. He was a calm and kind man with no vices which is a rare thing indeed. He lived simply but loved deeply and for that, may the blessings and the spirit of the creator shine his rays upon his shoulders and call it a life well lived.

He was a great lover of animals and there is no doubt that this love will remain constant in his new life. The only thing that eclipsed his love for animals and nature was the love for the creator with whom he would commune with through constant spiritual study, meditation, and prayer.

Bill will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to allow friends and family members more time so that all or most may attend. Service details are to be announced.