Obituary published on Legacy.com by White Family Funeral Home on Oct. 9, 2025.
In Loving Memory of Billy Joe Stephens
With comfort and assurance, we proclaim the promises of God's Son, Jesus Christ, for the eternal life of Billy Joe Stephens.
Billy Joe was born on September 17, 1974, in
Bowie, Texas. The second son of Kenneth D. Stephens and Susan Boyd Stephens Lyles.
From the day he took his first breath, Billy has been a blessing to all who crossed his path. He was the sweetest baby, the best teenager, and the most polite gentleman. Billy always had a kind word to share. His famous saying was:
"You sure do look pretty today."
He said that to all the ladies and girls who he met because he was happy that it made them smile and feel good, and it did.
Billy grew up in Archer City, Texas, with his three siblings Kenny, Sherry & Loyd. He was in the High School Band. He loved his family more than anything and his fondest memories were of going camping as a family when he was a child.
Billy loved cars, trucks, and bicycles. His dream was to become a mechanic. He was also a Star Trek collector. He loved watching TV & riding his bike when his health permitted it.
But most of all, Billy was one of God's special gifts to the world. He was special in so many ways. Loving, kind, caring, gentle, and polite. He never complained and accepted whatever he had to go through with grace - including the many years battling cancer, enduring surgeries, hospital stays, and treatments. He faced it all with a cheerful attitude and was thankful to God for each new day.
Billy woke up every morning and said:
"I sure do love my life."
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Billy left this world and entered eternity with his Lord and Savior. His new saying will now be:
"I sure do love my eternal life in Heaven."
Billy is preceded in Eternity by his dad, Kenneth D. Stephens, nephew, Tanner Stephens, grandparents: Mary Dugger & William Boyd, Marion Skinner, and Loyd Raymond Stephens, many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
Billy is survived by his mother, Susan Boyd Lyles, brothers: Kenneth Stephens Jr. and Loyd Raymond Stephens & his wife Kelly, his sister Sherry Dunn & her husband Mark. His stepsiblings: Christy Gholson Graham, Tommy Gholson, Teresa Sugar & her husband Ed, Heather Sibal, Cathy Hellesto & her husband Brian, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends - especially his lifelong friend since kindergarten, Kay Fierro.
Billy's service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Church of the Nazarene, 1109 Garlington St,
Bowie, TX. with Pastor Michael Burton officiating and under the direction of White Family Funeral Home in
Bowie, TX. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in
Bowie, TX.
We are forever grateful for the loving, compassionate care Billy received from Heart-to-Heart Hospice in Palestine, Texas - especially to his nurses Candess & Jeri, Chaplain John and social worker Karla who showered Billy with love. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to this wonderful organization. We are also grateful to his nurse Heidi at A&A Advantage Care in Corsicana, Tx.
A heartfelt thank you to all the family and friends who donated to Billy's GoFundMe account. May God bless each of you for your kindness and support.