Billy Rhoden's Obituary
Billy Rhoden, husband to one woman for 64 years, father of four and Army Veteran died July 6, 2015. Billy was born in Tom, Oklahoma on his mother’s birthday, May 5, 1926, to James Leroy Rhoden and Claudie Bell Watson. He grew up with 4 older siblings, sisters Myrtle and Mildred and brothers Walter and Robert. He left high school and joined the Army five months short of his 18th birthday. He was wounded in action while fighting in southern France earning the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Returning home after military service Bill finished high school and met and married the beautiful Jaudene Mathews of Redland, Oklahoma. Billy graduated from Oklahoma A&M at Okmulgee, Oklahoma where he played basketball for two years. Bill and Jaudene moved to Texas where they worked hard and raised their four children. Billy worked for 25 years for National Linen Company and later for Brown and Root, the City of Longview and Thrifty Nickel. For many years he was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved to joke, tell stories and tease people.
Billy was preceded in death his loving wife Jaudene Rhoden,
his parents, four siblings and his grandson, West Rhoden. He is survived by three sons and one daughter, Neal and wife, Melissa of Waco, TX, Matt of Ore City, TX, Philip of Spokane, WA, and daughter, Kendall Harper and favorite son-in-law Dale Harper of Hallsville, TX. Nothing gave him more pride than his grandchildren Ross Edmonds, Brady and Nathan Harper, Aubrey, Madison, Olivia, Reese and Samuel Rhoden. An extra joy to him were his four great-grandchildren, Jude, Quinn, and Eleanor Rhoden and Amelia Harper.
He leaves behind nieces, nephews and many friends who will miss him.
Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation today Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 5pm-7pm at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Funeral services will be at 10am Friday, July 10, 2015 at the funeral home with interment following later that day at 3pm at the Redland Cemetery in the Redland Community, OK.
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