Billie Cale Pipes

Billie Cale Pipes was born August 17, 1926 in Huckabay, Erath County, Texas to Maggie Cale (Brown) Pipes and David Pipes. His family moved from Truscott, Texas to Concord, Texas in 1929. He graduated from Concord Independent School District in May 1943. Billie joined the Army Air Force Reserve in March, 1944 and was called to active duty in March, 1945.

After basic training at Shepherd Field and Tech School at Chanute Field he was sent to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group 13th Squadron of the 13th Jungle Air Force at Dulog Air Strip on Leyte, Philippines Islands. His squadron then moved to Clark Field on Luzon and from there to Nichol Field, Manila. Billie was a flight traffic clerk in the Air Force and served as a crew member of C-46's, C-47's and C-54's, which transported personnel and material all over the South Pacific from Hawaii to Australia, China, Japan and many small islands of the Pacific. He was returned to the United States and honorably discharged in December, 1946. Billie attended John Tarleton College for one year. He then went into business in Centerville and continued his education at Sam Houston University receiving a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He sold his business and was employed by Standard Oil and Gas Company on the Gulf Coast. Billie married his college sweetheart, Ruth Word, on March 12, 1954. Two daughters were born to this union. He left the oil company in 1962 to enter the teaching profession. He was employed by the Palestine Independent School District as a self-contained sixth grade teacher. After integration, he became a sixth and seventh grade math teacher. Billie served in various supervisory capacities and retired in May, 1989 as an elementary principal.

Billie joined the Centerville Lodge and was raised to the degree of a Master Mason in 1952. He filled various positions in the Lodge, and three times, served as Worshipful Master.

Billie was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; both parents and brother, Ben David Pipes. He is survived by his wife, Sheri Loujeanne Hatch Pipes; daughters, Peri Pipes Gilmore (David), Kelly Pipes Bruner (Jack), Rhonda Hatch Thomas (Gary) and Sandra Hatch McCraw (John); sons, Richard Hatch (Donna) and Mark Hatch (Kim); 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Paul Ray Pipes (Linda); Robert Harvey Pipes (Frieda) and Thomas Earl Pipes (Kathy); sisters, Emma Lee Pipes Petty; Peggy Joyce Pipes Henson and Ada Pearl Pipes Hart, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Billie enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, playing bridge, square dancing and traveling.

Funeral services honoring Billie's life will be held 9:30 A.M., Friday, July 15, 2022 at Walters Funeral home, Centerville, Texas. Bro. Wesley Henson will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Concord Cemetery, Concord, Texas. A visitation will take place Thursday, July 14th from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.