Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....BANKS, BILLY LEE May 9, 2015
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Gina Brown rootsgirl36@gmail.com May 30, 2015, 8:20 am

News Star World - May 12, 2015
BILLY LEE BANKS

Billy L. Banks was called home on the evening of May 9, 2015. He was surrounded 
by his devoted wife, children, grandchildren, and loving friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in the chapel 
of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe with the Rev. Jerry Salisbury 
officiating. Billy will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery following the 
ceremony.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 
5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Billy was born on February 22, 1932, in West Monroe, Louisiana. He married the 
love of his life on September 16, 1954, and had three daughters whom he 
cherished more than life. He served his country as a paratrooper in the United 
States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He served his community as 
Ouachita Parish Police Juror of Ward 5 for eight years. He was a dedicated 
employee of Riverwood International and retired as a Railroad Supervisor after 
over 40 years of service. Billy was an avid fan of the West Monroe Rebels and 
LSU Tigers and spent his Friday nights listening to Rebel football on the radio 
and his Saturdays watching his Tigers. Above all else, his family was the most 
important thing to him, and he was so proud of his kids and grandkids.

God gives his toughest battles to His strongest soldiers, and Billy was as 
strong as they come. He survived getting shot in the war, a rare heart disease 
that claimed the lives of his brothers, countless heart attacks, two types of 
cancer, a broken neck, and a heart transplant at the age of 73. To his family, 
he was our superhero. His kindness was felt by everyone around him, and he 
wouldn't hesitate to go out of his way to help anyone at any time. The world is 
bleaker without him in it but infinitely better because of the life he led and 
those he impacted along the way.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Bethel Banks; his three 
brothers, Johnny Lee, Tommy, and Bobby; and his granddaughter, Shelby Deniece.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Alice "Patsy" Banks; his 
three daughters, Cheryl Powell and husband Jimmy, Sandy Skinner and husband 
Larry, and Tammy Shannon and husband Robert; his ten grandchildren Clay 
Locklear, Jeremy Skinner and wife Angela, Jennifer Stamey, Sandi Thomas and 
husband Jason, Brian Banks, Tommy Banks, Mark Banks, Brandon Banks, Elizabeth 
Shannon and Bryan Shannon; his eight great-grandchildren, Reagan, Levi, Layla, 
Ben, Ethan, Dylan, Myles, and Jack; nieces and nephews; and special friends, 
Craig Pate and Denise Donald.

Billy was also preceded in death by Robert Shon Carnley. Although they never 
met on this earth, Shon gave Billy the precious gift of extended life through 
organ donation. On August 20, 2005, Billy received Shon's heart and was given 
ten more priceless years of life. Shon's gift was truly immeasurable, and he 
will forever remain a part of our family.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Emory, Randy Banks, Craig Pate, Chris Bartlett, Brian 
Jones, and Jeff Donald. Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin Emory, J. E. Lee, 
Rudy Aikens, and Jesse Lenard.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the 
Cardiovascular Department at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston or to 
Donate Life America.

Mulhearn Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA

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