Billy Pirtle, a resident of Yorktown, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018. Billy was the only son and second child born to Bryce H. and Sadie E. Pirtle. In 1937, they welcomed their newborn son into their Bastrop, Louisiana, home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his beloved stepfather, E. Julian Shipp; special nephew, Kelly Clark; and three brothers, James Pirtle, John Pirtle and Robert Pirtle.
Billy grew up in the Northeast Louisiana town of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish. He spoke often of his wonderful experiences as a youngster, who was blessed to grow up in such a special place. During those early years, he became a member of the First Baptist Church and also joined the Boy Scouts of America. While having fun and enjoying those days, those times in a small town, he developed some forever cherished memories.
At Winnsboro High School, he was a quarterback of the football team and was also honored by being named “Mr. Winnsboro High School” during his senior year. He also loved playing American Legion baseball during the hot, hazy days of summer. He never forgot those times, those experiences, and those friends, who touched his life forever. Following his high school graduation, he entered the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. At USM, he was actively involved in the student government association and became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Forever, he was a devoted USM Golden Eagle.
After graduating from college, he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve and eventually moved to Virginia, where he and Beth met. Billy was employed as a Texaco representative in New Orleans, Louisiana, but eventually he and Beth settled in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, where he was a buyer for Coats and Clark, followed by many years as a buyer at Newport News Shipbuilding, from which he retired.
Billy was a generous, kind-hearted person who loved his God, family, friends and country. For several years, he did charitable work by volunteering for the Kingsmill professional golf tournaments. His love of golden retrievers led him to become actively involved in GRREAT, an organization devoted to the well-being of this wonderful breed of dogs.
Survivors include his wife, Beth, of Yorktown, Virginia; sister, JoEllen Clark of Ruston, Louisiana; special cousin, Lucy Ponton of Drakes Branch, Virginia; and nephew, Kenny Clark of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by several other nieces and nephews, who were dear to his heart, as well as other members of Beth’s family, whom he was happy to know as his family.
The family will receive friends at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor John Huelskoetter of Beth Car Baptist Church, Madison, Virginia, officiating. Burial will be held in Peninsula Memorial Park.
Billy’s favorite charities were the Salvation Army; Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe, LA 71211; and Southeastern VA Golden Retriever Rescue (SEVA GRREAT), P.O. Box 8014, Yorktown, VA 23693.
Share online condolences with the family at peninsulafuneralhome.com.
