Billy Wayne Massengale
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Billy Wayne, aka "B.W.", "Bronco" Massengale was born 12 June 1941 in Fort Worth, Texas and passed away on 31 May 2022. Billy Wayne was the son of Roy William and Nannie Lee (Barr) Massengale, who preceded him in death. Also, preceding him in death was his "One True Love" Mary Lou Massengale. He is survived by his "Baby Girl" (granddaughter), Caitlin Janel Anne Garza-Massengale and "Squirt" (daughter) Catherine Consuelo Massengale Mascarenas and her husband Pablo.
Billy Wayne was raised in the tight knit and loving community of Barry, Texas. Legend has it that he was so loved and doted on he nearly didn't learn to walk from being held all the time...walk he did, but running he loved, nicknamed "Speedy" in high school. Billy graduated from Blooming Grove High School in 1960 and attended Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas where he earned a B.A. in United States History and a teacher's certificate.
He married his "True Love", Mary Lou Young on 28 December 1961. After a short teaching stint in Monahans, Texas, Billy joined the United States Army. Upon being commissioned, he and Lou would spend the next 4 years in Panama for his active duty tour. Once, they returned to the U.S., he would immediately enter the United States Army Reserves, serving with the 75th MAC in Houston, Texas, and rise to the rank of Lt. Colonel before ultimately being "retired out" honorably due to medical reason in 2001 with over 30 years in the USAR. While serving as a reservist, he would have a number of "civilian" jobs in teaching, sales and the Oil industry that would take him all over Texas, but especially Odessa and West Texas, where he resided and for many years.
Upon leaving the USAR, "Bronco" Billy wasn't done serving his country though, as he was already working as a civilian contractor with the OPFOR, "Give No Mercy" group in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas for the Department of Defense. "Bronco" would work for over 30 years until medical necessity would force him to retire. Billy Wayne was a true American Patriot, who lived to serve his country. He served to make this land, our world a safer place to live with the dream of peace for all one day.
He was light hearted, quick witted and ready with a smile that would warm any heart and an easy disposition that could ease any soul. He fulfilled the "Good 'Ole Texas Boy" role well and was real gentleman to boot. Intelligent and talented, he sang and performed on radio and televisions shows as a young boy and man at local stations throughout Navarro county and wider. He was a veracious reader, constantly reading 3 to 5 novels at a time and finishing as many in any given week. If you knew Billy Wayne, you also knew what a talented technical artist and model airplane builder/enthusiast he was. He even had RC model airplane designs accepted by Revell at one time.
Wise, Kind and Giving continue the many descriptors of Billy Wayne, but are definitely not the end.
The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 6-8 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. A graveside service with military honors will be held Friday, June 10, 2022 at 10 AM at the Odessa II section of Ector County Cemetery.
..."May we, their grateful children, learn their strength, who lie beneath this sod, who went through fire and death to earn at last the accolade of God." by Rev. Charles R. Fink