Billy Carter Young

Billy Carter Young, 88, of Abilene died Friday, June 13, 2014. He was born in Brownfield, Texas, on January 6, 1926 to William Franklin and Mary Elsie (Carter) Young, and grew up on the family ranch in the Pyron Community. He graduated from Pyron High School in 1943, and faced with being drafted chose to enter the U.S. Navy. He served two years in the South Pacific without any leave time. He was discharged in 1946 and moved to Abilene where he met and married Mary Alice Hester on November 27, 1946. At the time of his death, they had been married 67 wonderful years. He was recalled to the Navy in 1950 during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1951. Carter retired from Merchants Motor Lines in 1988, and he and Mary traveled extensively in their motorhome. They toured the United States and Canada, spending many summers in Colorado. He was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, holding many offices and serving many years as church treasurer. He was instrumental in establishing Lytle South Baptist Church, working alongside the Baptist men six days a week. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and six sisters. Carter is survived by his wife, Mary Young of Abilene; two daughters, Lee Ann Robinson and husband Ted of Abilene, and Suzanne Golson and husband Tim of Coleman, Texas; two grandsons, Brett Robinson and wife Brittany, and Tyler Golson and wife Andrea; two granddaughters, Amanda Robinson and Lauren Brown; and three great-grandchildren, Riley and Libby Robinson and Trig Golson. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 16, at 10:00 o’clock a.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Chaplain E. J. Chafin officiating. His cremains will be placed in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Memorials may be sent to the Food Bank of West Central Texas, 5505 North 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79603.