Obituary of Billy Ray Tyra

Graveside services for Billy Ray Tyra, 90, of Overton will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017, in the Overton City Cemetery with Reverend Fred Parsons officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home. Mr. Tyra passed away, Tuesday, March 28,in Longview. He was born September 16, 1926 in Breckenridge to the late William Andrew and Willie Marie Henley Tyra. He is a 1943 graduate of London High School, where he was a member of the football team and had many friends he kept in touch with throughout his life. He joined the US Navy and served during World War II. After the war, he received his Associates Degree from Kilgore College and went to work in the oilfield. He married Sherry Pebworth May 22, 1964 in Snyder, Texas. He later became an independent oil producer and a cattle rancher for 47 years. He served two terms as president of the Overton Rotary Club and one term as Vice President of the Overton/New London Chamber of Commerce. He also served two years as president of the London Ex-Students Reunion and Memorial Association and was instrumental in founding the Association's Scholarship Program. He enjoyed coaching his sons' and grandsons' baseball and soccer teams and is fondly remembered by many of his former players. He also traveled to many tennis tournaments over the years. He loved spending time with his family and his grandchildren. As the youngest of five brothers growing up in the Gulf Camp between Overton and New London, he was known for being rather mischievous. This is where he learned his famous story telling abilities. Friends and family will often recount the stories he told. Besides his parents, Mr. Tyra was preceded in death by a son, William ‘Bubba’ Tyra, two grandsons, Casey Gilbert and Jacob Gilbert, and four brothers, Sam Tyra, Earl Tyra, Jesse Elton Tyra, and Chester Tyra. Mr. Tyra is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sherry Tyra, his son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Shea Tyra of Kilgore; his daughter, Terri Tyra, Overton; five grandchildren, Trenton Andrew Tyra, Bobbie Jo Tyra, Sage Tyra Ervin, Graham Tyra, and Jack Tyra; five great grandchildren, Thomas Andrew Tyra, Sadie Tyra, Cameron Ervin, Riannen Erb, and Abigail Tyra; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the London Ex-Students Reunion and Memorial Association Scholarship Program; P.O. Box 173, New London, Texas 75682.