Billie Dail Dunavin

Billie Dail Dunavin, 91, of Wylie, Texas passed peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 after a long and difficult battle with Dementia.

Billie was born at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas in 1930. He was a born and raised Texan who loved his Pearl Snap shirts, John Wayne, old western movies, the Dallas Cowboys and Babe's Fried Chicken.

In the '70s, he worked in the concert touring industry for ShowCo traveling all over the U.S. with legendary artists and bands such as Linda Ronstadt, Paul McCartney and Wings and E.L.O.

Where he found the most joy was living in the country working with horses and cattle. He lived in Alba, Texas from 2007 to 2017 and it was there where he truly felt at home. He lived a simple life in the east Texas town where he would sit on his porch and enjoy the tranquility of farm life. He enjoyed his daily trips to the coffee shop for breakfast where he'd sit and talk with those like him.

Billie lived his final years from 2017 to 2020 in Garland at Mayberry Gardens Assisted Living. It was there where he found new friends and his love for Bingo. If Mayberry Gardens had a Hall of Fame for Bingo, he'd certainly be in it.

From August 2020 to his passing, he was a resident at Garnet Hill Nursing Home in Wylie. During his time there, he became close to the Hospice Chaplain, we know as Victor. His visits with Victor were truly a godsend because they came during the Covid lockdown when family visits were not permitted. But it's the spiritual aspect of their visits which brought about his spiritual reunion with our forgiving and gracious Lord. Their visits provided much peace for Billie as they would read Bible scriptures, talk, share stories and play some of his old favorite country songs by Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. One of the songs he wanted to listen to was "I Saw the Light" written by Hank Williams. The lyrics are especially comforting to us.

I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
-Hank Williams

We are eternally grateful to Victor for providing such comfort at such a crucial time and being that guiding light before he was called home.

Billie is survived by his former wife, Hazel Dunavin of Garland and their children; daughter Betty Diane Ramage of Colorado, daughter-in-law Nancy Dunavin of Greenville, son Rodger D. Dunavin and his wife Coco of Wylie and son David D. Dunavin and his wife Colleen of Sachse. Billie is also survived by his grandchildren Michael Ramage, Sue Ramage Brice and husband Bene, Meshea Dunavin Hartford and husband Ajalon, Billy Aaron Dunavin, Bailey Dunavin, Rylie Dunavin and Sergio Dunavin as well as great grandchildren Jessie VanTreese, Benji Brice, Brandon Brice, Londra Hartford and Theory Hartford. He is preceded in death by his son, Billy Eugene Dunavin, parents, Oscar and Maxine Dunavin, brother Milton Don Dunavin and sister Mildred.

A private memorial will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the home of David and Colleen Dunavin. Billie's final resting place will be where he was happiest, on the farm in Alba, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Billie D. Dunavin to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online.