Billie McKenzie

Billie McKenzie, age 79, of Coryell City went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 11, 2015. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2015 at Osage Baptist Church. Visitation with the family will be 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Osage Baptist Church. Billie was born on February 4, 1936 in Houston, to the late Walter and Ernestine Pollard McKenzie. He grew up in La Porte and moved to Coryell City as a teenager. He graduated from Gatesville High School in 1955. He attended Texas A & M., played in the Fighting Texas Aggie Band, and was an avid Aggie fan. He married Inez Gallaway on January 29, 1956. He served in the U.S. Army for three years. He worked for Brown and Root Construction and retired after 23 years of service. They moved back to Gatesville in 1982. He worked for G.I.S.D. for 15 years in maintenance, as well as taught vocational classes in general mechanics. He was a member and deacon of Osage Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jackie Rhea and Walter Paul McKenzie. Billie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Inez McKenzie; two daughters, Christal Sanders and husband, Monty, Beverly Kyle and husband, Ronnie; one son, Justice McKenzie and fiancé, Efleda Basco and children, Stasha and Alex; five grandsons, Jeremy Sanders and wife, Misti, Joshua Sanders and wife, Tiffany, Caleb Sanders and wife, Tiffany, Calvin Kyle, and Derrick Kyle; five great-grandchildren, Taetym, Paisley, Jacob, Emilee, and Wyatt Sanders. Memorials may be made to Osage Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Oglesby.