Billy Jack Harrison

Billy Jack Harrison, of Groesbeck, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Saturday, March 18, 2023, passing away at his home with his wife by his side.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Donnie Fulton officiating.  Burial will follow in Old Union Cemetery, with Masonic services and military honors by the U. S. Army.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Lynn Harrison, William Harrison, Kelvin Skala, Bill Oates, Bob Walters, and Vincent Button.

Billy Jack Harrison was born on September 8, 1946, in Rosebud, Texas. He grew up in Rosebud and the Cameron area. At age 17, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana. After leaving the service in 1966, he went to work for his brother, Howard, running a bulldozer, then on to work for the MKT and Southern Pacific Railroads in Dallas.

On April 20, 1967, he married Jennifer Sue (Tipton) and moved back to the Rosebud area. In 1972, he went to work for Darr Equipment and the couple bought a home in Lacy Lakeview. Billy coached 2 of his sons in little league for over 10 years. When asked by a girls’ softball coach why he did not coach softball, he replied, “Too much drama.”

In 1979, Billy and Sue purchased a waterfront lot on Lake Limestone and slowly began building what they thought would be their retirement home but it ended up being their forever home. Every weekend, Billy, Sue and their children would go to the lake where he would wear himself out taking the kids water skiing, fishing and all things lake living. These were some of his favorite times, being at the lake with his family.

Billy worked his way up the ladder at Darr from shop mechanic to shop foreman. When the company was purchased by Holt/Cat, he joined the Sales and Service team for Hydraulics. He retired after 33 years and decided to open his own shop, Harrison Hydraulics & Mechanical, in Groesbeck. Starting with only one employee, his son, Michael, Billy worked until his health would not allow and then turned the business over to his son. Always willing to lend a helping hand, he continued to help customers from his previous job when he could.

Billy was a member of the Thornton Masonic Lodge #486, where he served as Worshipful Master from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2010.

Billy’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant more to him than anything. He was more than a Papa, he was a “best friend.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) and Mary (Mae) Harrison; brothers, Howard and Jimmy Harrison; and sisters, Ruby Dudley, Florine Hallmark and Doris Weems.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of nearly 56 years, Sue; two sisters, Wanda Burnett of Bryan and JoAnn Skala of Rosebud; four sons, Gary Hogan of Robinson, Billy Wayne of China Spring, Bobby of Waco, Michael and wife, Coryann of Groesbeck and one daughter, Cindy Plasden and husband Mike of Victoria.  

There are 18 grandchildren: Gage Hogan of Houston, Brittney Johnson of Robinson, Shawn and Aaron Patterson of Hewitt, Cameron and Cavin Harrison of China Spring, Kannon Harrison of Mountain Home, Idaho, Kristen Lasseter of Waco, Brandon Harrison of Gun Barrell City, Ryan Harrison of Groesbeck, Emily Powell and spouse RJ Tucker of Houston, Andi Bustos of Colorado, Jarrett Wigley of Waco, Hallie Humbert and husband, Chester of Temple, Wyatt Crum and wife, Blayne of Mound, Harrison Crum of Mound, Stormy Crum and fiancé, Cash Waller of Groesbeck and Bree’Anna Plasden of Hubbard, as well as 18 great grandchildren.  Also, included are three bonus grandsons, Dayton Vest, Austin Pruitt and Garret Beck and one bonus granddaughter, Madison Waldrum, all of Gatesville.