1932-2022

Funeral service for Billy Byron Dickard were held Dec. 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Van. Visitation was held one hour before the service at the Church, beginning at 1:00.

Billy Byron Dickard was born May 1, 1932, to Merle and Lula Dickard of Van. He gloriously stepped into eternity in the early morning hours of Nov. 26, 2022.

Bill grew up and attended school in Van. He married his high school sweetheart, Lorena Cle Gentry on Feb. 24, 1951, and they both moved to Kermit, TX to pursue a career with the Pure Oil and Union Oil Companies. After spending time in Kermit and Lovelady, Bill and Lorena were able to return back to Van in 1972 and reestablished their final residency. Bill retired after 35 years of oil field work. In 2019, Bill was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Van Oil Parade. Fishing was his favorite hobby, and we all loved his fish fries.

Bill Dickard was a member of First Baptist Church of Van for over 60 years. He served faithfully as a deacon and with many other roles in the church, and in the past few years moved to status of Deacon Emeriti.

He also was very active in Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief team. He served in 9-1-1 disaster, Hurricane Ike, Rita, and Katrina.

Bill Dickard was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Lorena Cle Dickard; his parents, Merle and Lula Dickard; sister, Mildred Dickard, and brother and sisterin- law, Harold and Betty Dickard. He was also preceded in death by his loving in-law family, Arthur and Mildred Becker; Bruce and Ruth Adkins; Herb Richardson, and son-in-law, Don English.

Bill Dickard is survived by his daughter, Angela English; son, Edward Dickard, and son and daughter-inlaw, Stanley and Nancy Dickard. Also, he is survived by his grandchildren, Anna Grace Dickard; Byron and Sarah Dickard; Sean Dickard, and Nathan Dickard, and two great-grandchildren, Rachelle and Liam Dickard.

Bill was loved by all, family, friends, and will be missed greatly.