Obituary

Billy Ray Castleberry, 61, departed this life on Tuesday (Dec. 11, 2007).

Billy was born in Ulysses on May 18, 1946, to Ed Castleberry and Vera Johnson Castleberry. He was the seventh child born, having one brother and seven sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Kay, of the home; a son, Bryan Lee Castleberry of Idaho; four sisters, Martha (Ray) Molz of El Dorado Springs, Mo., Joan (Virgil) Young of St. John, Pauline (Duane) Regier of Burrton, June (Joel) Langley of Asheville, N.C., and Christine Budde of Newton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Vinita, who died on May 20, 2004, at age 87; his father, Ed, who died on Feb. 24, 1974, at age 65; a son, Courtney Ray Castleberry, who died on Jan. 10, 1998, at age 23; two sisters, Betty Jean Pratt, who died on Oct. 21, 1993, at age 60, and Shirley Belle Voth, who died on Feb. 25, 1999, at age 56; and a brother, Edward Jr., who died on March 9, 2000, at age 60.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Broadway Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters or Harry Hynes Hospice in care of the funeral home.