Billy William Jay

Billy William Jay passed away in Holdenville on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the age of 73 years.

Billy was the son of Tom Thomas Jay and Lela May (Maroon) Jay, born on February 25, 1947, in Lamar, Oklahoma. He was brought up in the area of Lamar and Wetumka, and attended Moss schools. He worked in construction for a while in Wichita, Kansas, then returned to Holdenville. He married Geraldine Henry on October 11, 1969, at her parents’ home in Holdenville. They lived briefly in Wewoka and Horntown but made their home in Holdenville for most of their lives. Billy worked many years for the City of Holdenville.

He enjoyed collecting and shooting guns, wearing cowboy hats and boots, watching Western movies with John Wayne, and listening to country music by Hank Williams Sr. What he loved most was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were his pride and joy.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Lela Jay; one great-grandson, Ian Townley; six brothers, Tommy Jay, Ocie Jay, Raymond Jay, Bob Jay, Lowell Jay, and Joby Jay; four sisters, Velva Jay, Connie

Emerson, Ruby Whitsfield, and Mary Grist.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Geraldine, of the home; two daughters, Peggy Brown (Ronnie Rogers) and Rita Townley (Patrick), all of Holdenville; five grandchildren, Craig Townley of Ada, Cody Townley (Ashley) of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Heather Townley and fiancé Scott Bias of Shawnee, Justin Brown (Makayla) of Fort Irwin, California, Austin Brown of Guam, and Rebecca Butters (Vincent) of Tulsa; six great-grandchildren, Mason, Chayton, Emma, Lainey, Lincoln, and Chase; two brothers, Harold Jay and Burl Jay; two sisters, Minnie Standfield and Cora Mooney; and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 11 ^th , 1:00 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Home-Lilly Chapel, and Billy was laid to rest at Holdenville Cemetery, with Rev. Troy Wright officiating. Pallbearers were Mike McCoy, Craig Townley, Cody Townley, Patrick Townley, Ronnie Rogers, Austin Brown, Justin Brown, Rebecca Butters, Vincent Butters, and Heather Townley. Jack McCoy was honorary pallbearer. www.fisherfh.net