Billy L Kinnibrugh

Billy Lester Kinnibrugh, 86, of Vera, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Seymour, Texas.

A Celebration Service of his life will be held Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Vera Methodist Church, with Dr. David Warren and Rev. Cody Craig officiating. A private family burial will be held in the Vera Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home, Seymour, Texas.

Billy was born June 11, 1930, in a house near the Brazos River at Heffner, Texas. Soon after his birth, the family moved to south of Vera, Texas, where he grew up with a host of cousins. Billy's family relocated again when he was 14, to Gilliland, Texas where his dad had purchased a farm. After graduating from Gilliland High School, Billy joined the United States Air Force and was a Staff Sergeant at Mather Air Force Base, Mather Field, California serving from 1950-1953. Upon his return from the Air Force, Billy began farming at Gilliland.

On March 11, 1956, he married Betty Jo Townsend. They lived and farmed at Gilliland before moving to Vera in 1960, where they raised, loved, fed and gave tractor and four-wheeler rides to numerous children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Billy and Betty Jo were married 60 years.

Billy was best known for his love of the land and of his family; he farmed for 68 years in Knox County, tending to crops and cattle. He was a great steward of the land that God had given him. He was a long-time Board Member of the Knox County Farm Bureau and also served as a board member of the Wichita Brazos SWCD for around 40 years. Billy was a life-long member of the Vera Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Maggie Nail Kinnibrugh, a brother, Glen Kinnibrugh, and a son, Lester Brent Kinnibrugh.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Townsend Kinnibrugh of Vera; a son, Randal Kinnibrugh and wife Beverly of Vera; a daughter, Rhonda Thomas and husband Gordon of Woodson; four grandchildren – Kyle Kinnibrugh of Vera; Sarah Hilton and husband Jared of Keller; Bri Thomas and husband Tommy of Graham; and Tanner Thomas of Gainesville, Florida; three great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Annabelle and Cooper Hilton of Keller; two sisters, Esta Lee Cook and husband Howard of Granbury and Verna Faye Mayberry and husband Billy of Vernon; a sister-in-law, Barbara Holt and husband Paul of Graham; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to your favorite church, charity or organization.