Billy Bob Finnell

Dec. 9, 1929-June 9, 2026

After nearly nine years of separation, Billy was reunited with his wife (Lawana) of 63 years on the other side of the glassy sea. Billy was born at home to Bert and Thelma Finnell in Ector, Texas just six weeks after the start of the Great Depression. Growing up on a farm in the 1930s was extremely difficult but it also led to experiences that he appreciated throughout his life. One experience was working for local farmer and former United States Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn. Another was playing baseball with Audey Murphy, Hollywood movie star and one of the most decorated soldiers of WWII.

Billy was raised Southern Baptist, served as a deacon and sang in the choir most of his life. It was at the First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas that he met Lawana Fay Baird. They married in 1954 and had two children, Scott and Leslie. Billy had two careers. The first was in the aircraft industry where he worked on jet engines and tested NASA rockets at companies like LTV, General Dynamics and Rockdyne. His second career was as a public-school teacher. After retirement he spent many years providing disaster relief with Texas Baptist Men.

Billy never met a stranger. He was quick to offer his hand and a friendly smile to everyone he met. His word and a handshake were as binding as any contract. If the measure of a man is how much he loved his family, worked tirelessly to support them and modeled integrity and faith, then one of the finest men to walk the earth has gone to glory. Billy liked to say that he began his life walking behind a team of plow mules and finished by helping put Apollo astronauts on the moon (he worked on the second stage of the Saturn moon rocket). However, if you asked any of his building-trades public school students that he taught for 22 years, they would tell you that not only did they learn a useful skill but that they appreciated a teacher who really cared about them and their future. If you asked his children, they would tell you that his unconditional love and support was his lasting contribution. Billy was a Navy veteran and proud of his family’s heritage in the Revolutionary War. There was a Finnell at Valley Forge with George Washington during the winter of 1777.

Billy is survived by his son Scott Finnell and wife Judy, daughter Leslie Montgomery and husband Mike; six grandchildren Bailey White and husband Cody, Amanda Brown and husband Doug, McKenna Sutton, Jonathon Montgomery and wife Lacey, Michelle Johnston and husband DJ and Gary Montgomery; along with seven wonderful great grandchildren that he loved and who added tremendous joy to the last years of his life.

Services will be at Crestview Baptist Church at 11am Friday June 12th. In lieu of flowers, a gift to a favorite charity or public school teacher would be greatly appreciated.