Billy Monroe

COLLEYVILLE -- Billy Joe Monroe of Colleyville, Texas passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at home with his family by his side. Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lucas Funeral Home, Hurst. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation or the Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class, First United Methodist Church, Hurst, Texas. Bill was born to Mable Frances McKee and Joseph Monroe on July 26, 1925, in Dallas. Later, all fondly knew him as Papa and Pops. Bill grew up in a loving family with one sister, Mary Jo Hull, and one brother, Edwin McKee Monroe. Bill graduated from Adamson High School and was drafted into the service in 1943. He attended Southern Methodist University. Bill landed on Utah Beach on D Day plus 4 with the 79th Division and received many medals, among them a Purple Heart. Following an honorable discharge from the service, Bill joined the Texas Employment Commission and worked his way up through the ranks to Program Automation Systems Director in Austin, Texas where he stayed for 29 years until his retirement. Bill loved the outdoors and his greatest pleasure was teaching the next generation about the tradition of hunting and fishing. The young ones grew up listening and learning about the love and respect of the outdoors and the tall tales that had been passed down from father to grandson and nephews. Bill also loved working in his yard and took great pride in having one that was admired by all. But he always said his greatest accomplishment was having two beautiful daughters and a very happy marriage. Above all, his love and dedication to his wife and daughters were the single focus of his life. He worked long and hard hours to ensure their happiness. Dorcas said she was drawn to his "good quiet man" qualities as soon as they met. Their great partnership and love affair lasted 66 years. Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife, Dorcas; daughters, Cheryl Gore and husband Jim and Nancy Kimmey and husband Ralph; grandchildren, Tyler Gaston and wife Elizabeth, Whitney Kerr and husband Bo,  Ryan Kimmey and husband Ryan and Chris Gore and wife Tammy; and great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Gage, Hannah, Anniston, Ty, Andrew, Cruz, Keeli and Will.