Billy Joe Blythe, 85, of Brownwood, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 29th, at 2pm at the Zephyr Cemetery with James Glasscock officiating.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 28th, from 6pm to 8 pm at Heartland Funeral Home in Early.

Bill was born on September 22, 1932, in Pottsboro, TX, to Samuel Sidon Blythe and Callie Lea (McClure) Blythe.  He was married to Velma Arlene Hagan on July 18th, 1953, in Quartzite, AZ.  Four children were blessed from this marriage:  Darrell, Deborah, Darla and Dalyn.

Bill worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction and the pipeline industry until his retirement.  At home he was into many different hobbies that included radio-controlled airplanes that he built from his own drawings, CB’s, hunting, camping, boating, and he was an avid fisherman.  He played guitar and loved to sing and dance.  Family gatherings were filled with guitar music and song.

Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Velma Blythe of Brownwood: two daughters, Deborah (David) Price of Brownwood, Darla (Bob) Brewer of Brownwood, one daughter-in-Law Linda Blythe of Brownwood, one brother, Jonnie Claude Blythe of California, seven grand-children and two step grand-children: Melanie Rose (Anthony) Rosario of Hagatma, Guam, Shawna (Chris) Hesketh of Austin, Cody (Rebeka) Blythe of Fort Worth, Kala Blythe of Brownwood, Leice (Michael) Wilson of Missouri, Jennifer Cerda of Brownwood, Chelsea Robinson of Brownwood, Sky Brewer of Brownwood, D. Scott Price of Arkansas, and Michelle Henson of Missouri; twenty-two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by one step-son Greg, a son Darrell, and youngest daughter Dalyn, as well as his parents, two brothers: Samuel D and Jesse Lee, three sisters: Rose Mary, Arti Bell, and Mildred.

Online condolences can be shared through the Heartland Funeral Home website http://www.heartlandfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Bill-Blythe/