Obituary of Billie Harrison

Services for Billie Eugene Harrison, 86, of Abernathy, TX, will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in the Abernathy First United Methodist Church with Rev. Janet Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. The family will gather at Abell Funeral Home to receive friends Friday, Oct 17th from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Mr. Harrison died Tuesday, October 14, 2014, in Lubbock, TX. He was born February 10, 1928 to S. M. and Elizabeth (Wilkerson) Harrison in Cotton County, OK. He grew up in the Lakeview Community, graduated from Abernathy High School and attended Texas Tech. He married Billie Jean Petty on February 27, 1949 in Abernathy, she preceded him in death November 5, 2009. They farmed near Abernathy, raising their 4 sons and participated in church, community and educational opportunities in several capacities. He served on the Abernathy ISD School Board from 1959 until 1981, served 31 years on Region 17 ESC Board of Directors, retiring in 2013. He also served as Texas Association of Education Service Centers (TAESC) Chairman from 2003 until 2005, and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award from the TAESC in 2007. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church serving as Sunday School teacher and Choir Director for many years. He is survived by 4 sons, Mark Harrison and wife Cindy of Houston, TX, Lane Harrison and wife Frann of Norwalk, CT, Kent Harrison and wife Emmy of Worthington, OH and Jay Harrison and wife Lora of Ballwin, MO, 7 grandchildren, Tessa Rothe and husband Gary of Houston, Lesley Harrison of College Station, TX, Cole Harrison, Renata Harrison and Ruby Harrison all of Columbus, OH , Michelle Harrison and Kimberly Harrison both of Ballwin, MO, a sister, Sibyl Mitchell of Albuquerque, NM, several nephews and nieces. The family suggests memorials be sent to a favorite charity.