Billy Ray Selman

BILLY RAY SELMAN, age 76, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2005 at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. Bill was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on June 17, 1929. As a young child he moved to Abilene, Texas, where he attended Travis Elementary School and Abilene High School. At the age of seventeen he joined the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed in San Diego, California. Upon returning to Abilene, he attended Hardin Simmons University. Bill married Bettye Jo McMaster in October 1951. In pursuit of greater earning opportunities, he moved his family to Houston in the early 1960's. He was a Borden's milkman in Abilene and then in Southwest Houston through the early 1970's. In 1983 he returned to Abilene where he worked at H.E.B. Grocery Co., Arrow Ford, and Dunlap's Department Store respectively. Bill was happiest when selling used cars and especially enjoyed trading up with his own vehicle. Bill is survived by his mother, Margaret Willeford of Abilene, TX; son, Mark Baize and his wife Sarah of Austin, TX; daughters, Suzanne Truax and her husband Patrick, and Lynette Shappee, all of Sugar Land, TX; grandchildren, Leah, Bradley, Jonathan, Lindsay, Brian, and Loryn; and great-grandson, Ryan. A Memorial Celebration of his life will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at Earthman Southwest Chapel, 12555 South Kirkwood, Stafford, TX, and at 11:00 AM Saturday August 6, 2005, at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, TX. For those desiring, memorials may be made to Christian Homes, 1202 Estates Drive, Abilene, TX 79602.