Billy Joe Neely, 92 of Friona passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on October 13, 2024. Viewing will be held from 9:00AM to 8:00PM with family visitation from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday, October 15, 2024 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Services set for 2:00PM Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church in Friona with Pastor Brett Hoyle and Pastor D. Jay Lewis, officiating. Burial is set for 1:00 PM Friday, October 18, 2024 in the Meridian Cemetery in Meridian, Texas by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.

Billy was born on March 2, 1932, in Meridian, Texas. After graduating from Meridian High School, he attended Weatherford Junior College on a basketball scholarship and later earned his master's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio. Billy also served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 11 years. Throughout his life, he was a devoted deacon at several churches, with his final membership and service as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Friona. Billy dedicated 34 years of his professional life to healthcare administration, retiring in 2004. The last 14 years of his career were spent at Parmer Medical Center in Friona, where he played a vital role in laying the groundwork for a new community hospital. A Mason for over 60 years, he served as Master of South Hills Lodge No. 1389 from 1969-1970. He was also actively involved in his community, serving as President of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, President of Little League Baseball, and a member of both the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. Additionally, he was the Vice Chairman of the Texas Hospital Association's Small and Rural Hospital Committee. Billy was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting, often enjoying these activities with his longtime friend, Jay.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Barbara Jean White Neely; his father, Marshall F. Neely; his mother, Gertrude Gardner Neely Bell; and his sister, Mary Elouise Neely Preston. He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Baca Neely; his daughter, Marsha Gayle Neely Hafer and her husband, Tom, of McKinney, Texas; his son, Stephen Paul Neely and his wife, Traci, of Bullard, Texas; his stepdaughter, Stephanie Cabrera Blanco and her husband, Eric, of Midland, Texas; his stepson, John Andrew Cabrera, of Michigan; his brother-in-law, Raul Braillif, of Friona; 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 276, Friona, Texas 79035, or Parmer Medical Center, 1307 Cleveland, Friona, Texas 79035.

You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book on Mr. Neely's memorial page exclusively at:  hansardfamily.com