BILLY S. MITCHELL, 89, of Rockdale, TX died Dec. 27,
2009.
He was born July 8, 1920, in Strawn, TX to Willie
Wilson & Sarah Irene (Sarrett) Mitchell. He married
Georgie Helen Hill in Jan. of 1943, in Brazos County.
Billy was a 1937 graduate of Ranger High School at
Ranger, TX and received a bachelor’s degree in market-
ing and finance in 1949 from Texas A&M University. He
was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Mitchell was in private
business in Woodville for a while and was a salesman,
district sales manager and area production manager for
Ralston Purina Co. He served as vice president of
Fidelity Services Corp. & First National Bank of Waco.
Mr. Mitchell was president of Woodville Chamber and
Woodville Community Inn. He served as director for
Tyler County Industrial Corp., Woodville Rotary Club,
Allen Shivers Memorial Library & Museum, Deep East
Texas Development Council, Tyler County Development
Corp., the Dogwood Club in Woodville, Tyler County
Dogwood Festival and Tyler County Civil Defense.
Mr. Mitchell was a board member of Woodville United
Methodist Church, an elected member of Woodville City
Council, member of the President’s Honor Council of
Ralston Purina Co., TX, Manufacturers Association
(Waco chapter), First United Methodist Church of
Waco, Masonic Lodge, Lake Waco Ctry Club, Ridgewood
Country Club of Waco and the City Club of Waco. He
was also a major for Waco United Fund, served on the
advertising committee of Waco Chamber of Commerce
and the steering committee of Quality First Classic
(LPGA golf tournament).
Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by his wife, Helen
Mitchell, in 2008.
Survivors are a goddaughter, Pattie Ivey of Austin;
a brother, James L. Mitchell (RHS-1943) of Broken
Arrow, OK; a nephew, Tommy Don Stanfil of Oklahoma
City, OK; a niece, Jodie Barker of Graham; and a
cousin, W.E. Wetzel of Kerrville; also, a nephew,
several nieces & a host of friends.