Billy Gene Sipes was the middle child of B.W. Sipes and Willie Oneida(Talley)Sipes. He had (1) brother Bedford W. Sipes and (1)sister Jacqueline Sue Sipes. He was preceeded in death by both of his parents and his brother Bedford. Billy had (5) Five children with (4) being daughters and (1) son. His children are listed here with the oldest first and the youngest one last. He was the father of the following children: Diane Michelle Carter, Dana Marie Nix, Monica Janel Sipes, Billy Gene Sipes Jr. and Stephanie Renae Sipes.He is also survived by (8)eight grandchildren and (7)seven great-grandchildren. Billy had a varied working career and was employed in the following areas: oilfield construction, oil drilling,law enforcement as a uniformed officer as well as a detective and Chief of Police,Deputy Coroner,furniture and appliance store owner. Billy enjoyed fishing and camping out. In his later years he wasn't as active as he would have liked to have been due to open heart surgery and several other heart surgeries. Billy was a veteran of the United States Navy and for a time was stationed with the United States Marine Corps. His military specialty was a Hospital Corpsman (medic). He was very active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks serving in his local lodge B.P.O.E # 1128 in Longview, Texas as lodge Secretary. He also served as District Interlodge Chairman for the Northeast District of the B.P.O.E. Billy was a lifetime member of The Disabled American Veterans. He was an active member in the American Legion,The Fraternal Order Of Eagles, National Rifle Association. Billy donated his time as Santa Claus for many years to various civic organizations. He enjoyed helping others and was a supporter of St. Jude's Children's Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society,Vietnam Veterans of America,Boys Town, and Cal Farley's Boy's Ranch. Billy loved to be able to assist others and had a fondness for helping both veterans and childrens fund drives. He also enjoyed visiting the local nursing home residents as Santa Claus and always said the smiles he saw was worth more than any payment he could have ever received. He loved traditional Country Music and enjoyed playing the guitar and pedal steel guitar as well as singing.He was privileged to meet many of the country artists throughout the years and his most favorite artist was Merle Haggard. He and Merle became friends several years ago.