Billy Carpenter

Billy Vernon Carpenter

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Tabernacle Baptist Church for Billy Vernon Carpenter 82, who passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 surrounded by the love of his family. Pastor Jerry Beaver of Tabernacle Baptist Church will be officiating with Onsy Whicker assisting. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Monday, June 11, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Billy Vernon Carpenter was born in Paducah, Texas on July 30, 1929 to Chester and Lorene Barton Carpenter and was one of nine children. He served in the United States Navy for a short time beginning in 1946 and then joined the United States Army in 1954. He began his law enforcement career in 1952 with the Amarillo Police Department. In 1956 he joined the Roswell Police Department and then in 1960 the Artesia Police Department. In 1968 he was appointed Chief of Police in Artesia. In 1970 he returned to Roswell and the Roswell Police Department. Then in 1973 he began working for the Chaves County Sheriffs department where he worked with his brother, Leroy Carpenter. He was elected Sheriff of Chaves County in 1979 and served two terms. He was instrumental in establishing the first set of jail standards through the New Mexico Legislature. In 1983, he was elected Magistrate Judge and served one term. Then he was reelected Magistrate Judge in 1991 and served two terms. He retired in 1998 after his third term as Magistrate Judge.

In 1954 he married Nona Lorraine Graves in Roswell who survives him at the family residence. He is also survived by his four children, Dennis Dees Debbie of Lubbock, TX, Eddy Carpenter Laura, Kimberly Webb Tim, Allyson McClain Jim all of Roswell. His grandchildren are Sonya LoCascio Jason, Cheryl Sanford Rion of Lubbock, TX, Brandy Carpenter of CA, Billie Dewey Roy Artesia, NM, Eddy Mac Carpenter Jodie of Colorado Springs, CO, Blake Carpenter Joann of Denver City, TX, Ashley Lucero Adrian, Michael McClain Cassie and Hobie McClain, Cody Carpenter, Nigel Carpenter and Tony Carpenter all of Roswell and numerous great grandchildren.

Billy was preceded in death by both of his parents, his brothers Leroy, Elwood and Dan. He is survived by his brother CA Carpenter Janice of Hobbs, his sisters Savannah Derrick of Artesia, Bonnie Derrick Verl, Idell Burnett Paul of Titusville, PA, and Day Hodge of Carlsbad, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Billy was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He served in many ministries at the church including janitorial, the bus ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Board of Trustees. He cooked the Mens Prayer breakfast for many years, he sang in the choir. He and Nona ran the concession stand for youth camp for several years and worked diligently wherever needed. He also assisted the Church Treasurer and the Church Clerk at every service. His favorite scripture was Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song He also has become my salvation.

Billy was an avid fisherman and went fishing whenever possible with his fishing buddies. There were always fish tales when they got home about the big one that got away. One of his favorite sayings was, if a story is worth telling, its worth enhancing. He loved going deer hunting when he could. His favorite past time was spending time with his family. No one could make him smile like his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Bill Davis, Doil McCreary, Tom Moody, Merle Reynolds and Mel Young for their support and assistance. We would also like to thank Vista Care Hospice for their wonderful care of our Father. We are truly thankful for the staff at Lovelace Regional Hospital and Dr. Badine, Dr. Scally and Dr. Jewell.

Those to serve as pallbearers will be the Chaves County Sheriffs Honor Guard and honorary pallbearers will be Doil McCreary, Bill Davis, Merle Reynolds, Hawk Boardman, Tom Allen, Larry, Jerry, Perry and Preston McCreary and Don Jones.

The family request that memorial contributions be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund, 115 W. 11th Street, Roswell, NM 88201.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, June 9, 2012
8:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Viewing

Tabernacle Baptist Church
115 W. 11th
Roswell, NM  88201
Monday, June 11, 2012
6:30 pm 8:00pm

Funeral Service

Tabernacle Baptist Church
115 W. 11th
Roswell, NM  88201
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
11:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

115 W. 11th Street
Roswell, NM  88201