Bonham -- Funeral services for Billy Leeman Lakey, 68, of Bonham will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 21, 2008 in Wise Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. Troy Miles, Rev. Johnny Martin and Terry Mayfield will officiate.  Burial with military honors will follow in McWright Cemetery, near Celeste.  Billy passed away Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Dallas VA Hospital.

Billy was born October 20, 1939 in Bonham, Texas, the son of Virgil Harmon Lakey and Bessie Lee Dillard Lakey.  He was a 1958 graduate of Dodd City High School and attended Grayson County Jr. College from 1975 - 1978.  He was a US Army veteran and served during the Vietnam War (1963-1965).  He married, Billie Imogean "Jeannie", Feb. 18, 1966.

Billy spent 38 years in retail management.  He began working for White's Auto on the Bonham square at age 18 and was there for 14 years.  He helped open the first Bonham Wal-Mart store in the 70's and then spent 24 years at both Greenville Wal-Mart stores.  He lived in Brashear (Hopkins Co.), TX for 24 years before retiring and moving back to Bonham in March of 2000.

Billy was a man of many talents and a perfect gentleman.  He enjoyed art, playing the guitar, singing and fishing and his dog, Nate.  He loved pets and his family and friends.  Billy was a member of the First Pentecostal Church of God in Bonham.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Euless, Willie Arthur, Clarence, Buster and Buford, and sisters, Vena Craig and Thelma.

Surviving are -

His wife of 43 years, Billie I. "Jeannie" Lakey of Bonham

Sons:  Billy Lakey, Jr. and Pancho, both of Bonham

Daughters:  Tina Gannon of Irving

                Lisa Mayfield of Royse City

Brothers:  Roy Lakey of Ravenna

                Jimmy Lakey of Corsicana, TX

Sisters:  Virgie Stroud of Bonham

                Ella Caughron of Big Sandy

6 Grandchildren:  Jammie, Jacinta, Nicole, Breanna, Shandolyn and Bobby

5 Great grandchildren:  Kasey Deshawn Brown, Mathew, Alex, Andrea, and Maddison Atchley

Sisters-in-law:  Glenda Lakey, Betty Lakey, Sally Brumley, Wanda Erwin, Mary Latham and Vicki Steen 

Pallbearers will be Ray Lakey, Bobby Lakey, Lance Fry, James Brown, Shawn Atchley, Aaron Atchley, Austin Lynch and Jimmy Dale Lakey. 

Billy is with God whom he loved so dearly.    He touched all of our hearts in so many special ways and will be missed and loved forever. 

The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home from 1:00 pm until service time Saturday.  Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com