Billy James Lackey

Celebration of life for Dolores Colorado resident Billy James Lackey will be held at 10 AM on Friday June 23, 2023, at Ertel Funeral Home.

Bill was born in Cheyenne, Oklahoma on August 26, 1934, to James Hubert Lackey and Hattie Bryant Lackey. He passed away on June 19, 2023, in Cortez, Colorado at the age of the age of 88.

Bill and his family moved to Sunray Texas at a young age so his father could go to work in the carbon black plant to support his family. Times were hard for the Lackey family, Bill quit school after the eighth grade to help support his brothers and sisters.

Bill met Lorraine Williams at the age of 8 while living at the carbon black camp. By the age of 14 he knew she was the one for him. He wooed her with a locket and a bracelet. Bill married Lorraine Williams on June 3, 1953, in Sunray, Texas. They had 3 children.

Bill worked on a ranch in Eunice, New Mexico for a while then moved back to Texas to work at the carbon black plant. The pay wasn’t enough to support his family, so he packed up and moved back to Eunice New Mexico to take a job in the oid field. He worked there for at least 4 years where he gained experience then moved to Colorado where he went to work for R & R Well Service which sold to Pool Well Service until he was hurt in an accident at the rig. He worked for 36 years and retired due to his injuries.

Bill and Lorraine bought a winter home in Toledo Bend close to her parents and family. He loved to fish and all he had to do was walk out his back door and to the boat dock. The grand children went with him on occasion. He had them on the look for alligators and snapping turtles. With a big grin on his face, he would tell them the alligators are going to get you.

Roy and Patty went out on the boat with him, he caught a big gar fish, and threw it on the bottom of the boat between patty’s legs. Patty walked on water that day. Bill had that grin on his face and a hearty laugh.

He liked to hunt with his sons up on the Glade and at Disappointment Valley with his grandchildren.

Bill always had a garden, a big garden! When the garden started producing, anyone that visited went home with fresh vegetables. It was pure joy for him to give away the garden vegetables.

Bill had an ornery side. At Christmas we were afraid to accept a gift from him for fear of what he had wrapped. One year, we all got spray foam turds. The next year, we got over sized drawers (Underwear). He kept us all on our toes.

His love and great care for family and friends will always be cherished.

Surviving Bill are his sister Veleta Most (Dean), Sister-in-law Daphne Lackey, Melonee Jennings, as well as Ronald Lackey (Teresa), Zac Bass, Wesley John Lackey, Isaac Bass, Jessica Scott, Joshua Lackey, Janelle Barela, Jemma Ridgley, Rejeania Lackey, Keith Yazzie, Kasey Suckla, Shacee Decker, Roy Lackey (Patty), Michael and Curtis Lackey, 30 great grandchildren and 1 great great-grandson.

Preceded in death by wife Lorraine, Parents, 4 brother and 5 sisters.

Family requests memorial contributions to be sent to Pasco Southwest Health Care and Hospice.