William Ashley Sr.

Services for William Hilton "Billy" Ashley Sr., 75, Tyler, were held Feb. 26 at New Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Robbie Caldwell officiating.

Burial was held in New Harmony Cemetery under direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Directors, Tyler.

Mr. Ashley died Feb. 21, 2007.

He was born Sept. 24, 1930 in Shreveport, La., to Joe and Beatrice Leone Ashley. He was a 1947 graduate of Clovis High School, Clovis N.M., received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Baylor University in 1951 and a master's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1988. He worked for Gulf Refining Co. and was a mud-chemist and geologist in the oil fields of Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

In 1965, he became plant chemist at La Gloria Oil & Gas, retiring with more than 30 years service.

He was a member of New Harmony Baptist Church, and served as voting coordinator and judge for the Republican Party in the New Harmony area. He served in the National Guard Reserves during the Korean War.

He was preceded in death by wives, Marlene Kay Forester in January 1994, Patricia Kaye Petty in February 2002; sister, Bettye Jo Ashley Bridges in 2001.

Survivors include sons, Daniel Hilton Ashley, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, William "Bill" Hilton Ashley Jr., Houston, and Douglas Marlon Ashley, Maple Grove, Minn.; daughter, Brenda Kaye Ashley Dobbs; stepsons, Brian Keith Hall; Phillip Wayne Gour, New London, and Glenn Ray Tillman, Jacksonville; stepdaughter, Phyllis Kay Crymes, Whitehouse; and 10 grandchildren.