Billy Golden

Billy Golden, age 84, of Kirby, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

He was born on March 7, 1938, in Kirby, the son of Arvil Lee Golden and Winnie Leo Babbitt Golden.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, Erma Crump and Jean Turner; his sister-in-law, Maurice Golden; and his brother-in-law, Clay Crump.   On July 1, 1957, Billy married the true love of his life, Sandra Elizabeth Reese.

In his younger years, Billy worked as a radio technician in Dallas, Texas for over ten years, until he and Sandra returned to Kirby, where Billy would become the minister for Kirby Church of Christ for over sixty years, also serving as an Elder for many years.  They also traveled the states as missionaries to many different churches spreading the gospel and teaching the history of the Church of Christ, and were part of numerous panel discussions, fielding many question and answer sessions, and was even honored to be a speaker in Branson.

Billy and Sandra also owned and operated for many years the Kirby Restaurant, where they became well known for their Friday night fish and delicious fried pies, both of which folks still talk about today.  Billy was a member of the Lake Greeson Bass Club, and was the head of the Kirby Water Board, where he managed to work hard to accomplish getting city water for his fellow residents of Kirby.  He enjoyed gardening, farming, fishing and hunting, especially turkey hunting with his sons and grandchildren and even earned the nickname of “Turkey Bill”.

Above all, Billy was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, whose greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, especially his cherished wife, Sandra, who he shared a never-ending love with.  He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him, but he has left so many wonderful memories for everyone to cherish.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Golden of Kirby; his three children and their spouses, Kyle and Rachel Golden of Kirby, Kayla and Sonny McCauley of Breckenridge, Texas and Keith and Jeanene Golden of Kirby; his grandchildren and their spouses, Vanessa and Brian Sampson, Travis and Emily McCauley, Carmen and Troy Guhse, Gunner Golden and Lyndsie and Tanner Owens; his great-grandchildren, Lexie Sampson, Grace and Vivian Guhse, and a little baby boy on the way, Kurt McCauley; his brother, Bobby Golden of Kirby; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 7, 2022, in the Kirby Church of Christ with Buddy Ray, Pete Pedron and Jon Howard officiating.

Visitation will be held Sunday, 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel in Glenwood.

Interment will be in the Glenwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clay Crump, Danny Turner, Mike Golden, Kevin Golden, Tim Golden, Steve Crump, Randy Golden and David Butcher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gunner Golden, Travis McCauley, Bob Ligon, John Tolleson, Charles Yeargan and Larry Mantooth.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.