Billy Joe Harville

Billy Joe Harville (Joe), beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend went to be with the Lord on June 25th, 2023, at the age of 88. Joe was born in Red River County, TX on February 18, 1935, to Lester Leon Harville and Agnes Mae Willingham Harville. The family later migrated to Odessa, TX where Joe became a standout athlete in basketball, track, and football. Joe held the discus record in the West Texas Relays from 1950-1959. It was in Odessa that Joe met, fell in love with, and married the love of his life, Virginia Lee (Jenny) Holloway. Joe and Jenny lived briefly in Lawton, Oklahoma while Joe served in the army and then in El Paso while Joe attended Texas Western College. They subsequently moved to Dallas, where Joe later began working for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. While in Dallas, Joe and Jenny were blessed with the birth of their two children, Mandy and Justin. In 1976 they found their forever home and moved the family to Lancaster, TX. Joe joined the local Lions Club and served in leadership for many years. Mandy and Justin grew up, graduated from college, started families of their own, and blessed Joe and Jenny with five beloved grandchildren. Joe spent his retirement years doting on his grandkids and traveling around the world with Jenny. Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jenny of 65 years; his son, Justin Harville and daughter-in-law, Julie; his daughter, Amanda (Mandy) Allen and son-in-law, Tim; and his beloved grandchildren, Madelyn Allen, James Harville, Joseph Allen, Erika Harville, and William Harville. He is also survived by his brother, Leon Harville; his sister, Ramona Harville; and his sister-in-law, Madelyn Kennedy, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes Mae (Willingham) Harville and Lester Leon Harville; his sister, Mary Stephens and brother-in-law, G.E. "Blue" Stephens; his sister-in-law, Martha Brown and brother-in-law, James Brown, and his brother-in-law, Sherman Kennedy. Joe's love of family and community permeated his amazing life. He was a hard worker whose joy for life was rivaled only by the indelible love he leaves behind in the hearts of all who knew him. When retiring from the ATF, Joe spoke the words of Don Meredith's famous saying, "Turn out the lights. The party's over." "My Love, I'll turn out the light for now, but the party's not over. We'll meet again in Heaven soon and walk in the light of God's love forever." -Jenny A small family service will be held in November to honor Joe's legacy and his lifelong service to his country at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX where he will be interred with full military honors in conjunction with the Veteran's Day holiday.

Billy Joe Harville

February 18, 1935 - June 25, 2023