William John (Billy John) Harrison 1931-2019

William John (Billy John) Harrison, 88, passed away July 12, 2019, in Jayton, Texas. Services were held Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at the First Baptist Church of Jayton. Burial followed in the Jayton Cemetery directed by Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home.

Billy John was born May 25, 1931, in Jayton to the late John William and Lessie Lee (Laird) Harrison. He graduated from Jayton High in 1950.

Except for his time spent in the US Army, serving his country in Korea, Billy John happily spent his life farming and ranching in Kent County. He served his community on various boards, including the Jayton School Board, Farmer’s Co-op Gin Board and the Kent County FSA (ASCS) County Committee. He was a member of the Jayton First Baptist Church.

Billy John married Janice Sue Long on Sept. 20, 1958, in Spur, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John William and Lessie Harrison; his brothers, Euel Davis Harrison and Frank Odell Harrison; and sisters, Pauline Harrison Evans, Sybil Harrison Baze and Norrine Harrison Woolsey.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Janice Harrison; two sons and daughters-in-law, William (Billy) and Linda Harrison of Burnett and Frank and Darla Harrison of Jayton; daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Wesley Martin of Aspermont; seven grandchildren, William (Trey) Harrison and Wendy, Jennifer (Harrison) Yost and David, Ethan Martin and Bethanie, Caleb Harrison and Jordan, Eli Martin and Shayle, Ryan (Harrison) Bates and Ethan, and Molly Pierce and Ryder Harrison; ten great-grandchildren, Isaac Harrison, Jacob Harrison, Holly Martin, Bo Martin, Haydon Martin, Christian McCabe, Charlie Grace Harrison, Brody Bates, Jamie Martin and Corey McClain; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jayton.