Billy Eugene Harper

Mr. Billy Eugene Harper, 67, of Inwood, W.Va., died of cancer Thursday, Aug. 20, while visiting his daughter in Colorado Springs, Colo.

He was the husband of Billie Joan Harper. They were married for 44 years.

Born March 11, 1931, in Parsons, Kan., he was the son of the late Charlie Otis Harper of Kansas City, Mo., and Ina Mae Harper Allen of Parsons.

He was a retired Navy lieutenant who served 20 years active duty and 10 years in the reserves. He entered the Navy in 1949, and served aboard the USS Springfield and USS Norton Sound. While in the service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal.

He retired from active service in 1969. He then worked at Vitro Laboratories in Silver Spring, and retired in 1986.

He entered semi-retirement working for the Humane Society in Rockville, then retired and moved to Inwood with his wife in 1995.

Mr. Harper enjoyed his family, NASCAR and his rose garden.

He was a member of Morris Frock American Legion Post 42, Hagerstown.

Surviving in addition to his wife are five children, Kimera Horridge and husband Lee of Gaithersburg, Cindy Axline and husband Kent of Brunswick, Billy E. Harper Jr. and wife Nancy of Monrovia, Tiffany Ruff and husband Don of Colorado Springs, and Shane Harper and wife Michele of Germantown; two stepchildren, Terri Lenker and husband Brad of Ottawa, Kan., and Mark Smith and wife Mary Kay of Kansas City; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; father-in-law, Harold Hapgood of Pea Ridge, Ariz.; and one brother, J.D. Harper of Cherryville, Kan.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville.

Graveside burial services will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the West Virginia Panhandle; or the American Cancer Society.