Source: http://www.gillfirstnational.com/sitemaker/sites/GILLFI1/obit.cgi?user=52000416_BBoutwell

BILLY RAY BOUTWELL
April 8, 1935 - March 19, 2017

Funeral service for Billy Ray Boutwell, 81 of Winnsboro will be held at 10 AM Friday, March 24, 2017 in First Baptist Church Winnsboro with Mr. Johnny Guice and Rev. Craig Beeman officiating. Military interment rites will be conducted in the church following the funeral service. Mr. Boutwell will be buried in Coax Cemetery under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home of Winnsboro. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 PM at First Baptist Church Winnsboro.

He was born to Ray Otto and Oleta Sills Boutwell on April 8, 1935 and passed from this life on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at his residence.

Billy's childhood was spent with his two sisters and brother until his mother died when he was only 13 years old. Billy lived with several relatives throughout his school years, learning to work on his Uncles' farms as well as many other jobs he held throughout his young life. He graduated from Winnsboro High School in 1953. His classmates are some of his favorite people and he has valued their friendships all these years. A year after graduation, he joined the Marine Corps in March 1954 and was a personnel clerk in the Korean war and was honorably discharged in January of 1957. He met his wife, Carolyn, and they were married on Dec. 3, 1957. After stops in Jackson, MS, Van Buren, Ark and Natchez, MS, his travels brought him home to Winnsboro in May of 1973 to start working at Steve Thompson Trucking. There he was an integral part of the growth of the company. The employees there were like family and are quick to mention his fairness in all situations when recounting those years. In 1993, he became an auditor for LWCC and eventually retired in 2006 at the age of 71.

Billy spent the next 10 years attending his grandchildren's athletic events. If he missed one, it was because there were more than one at the same time. His daily 1:00 golf game was shared with Owen White, Rudolph McIntyre, Vic Hodgkins, JT Tims and Buck Hollis to name a few. For 12 years, we enjoyed the annual Boutwell Beach Bash. Billy Ray on the beach was a beautiful thing to behold. The sand, “the raising of the tent”, the cooking and fellowship. We were usually joined on Wednesday nights by Franklin Parish friends that were in the Florida area. That was the annual “Shrimp Boil”. He loved it.

Billy was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Winnsboro where he has served as Chairman and was on many committees. He sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and through the years showed his devotion to the church through his countless hours of stewardship.

Billy was a great storyteller and he will live forever in our hearts through the retelling of his stories by his family. His enthusiasm for life was infectious and inspiring. Billy's generous spirit, faith and devotion to family and friends is an example we seek to follow. We have learned to see things through his eyes and see the best in others. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Carolyn Boutwell of Winnsboro; son George Boutwell and wife Ginger of Winnsboro; three daughters Janice House and husband Craig of Bossier City, JoAnn Boutwell of Natchez and Brenda Collie and husband David of Ruston; brother Donnie Boutwell and wife Lovie of Kingwood, TX; grandchildren Ben Boutwell and wife Abbey of Nashville, TN, Matt Boutwell and wife Jenna of Oceanside, CA, Katie Herron and husband Brock of Wellington, FL, John Boutwell and wife Joanna of Metairie, Haily Havis of Shreveport, Will House of Bossier City, Trebor Yocum of Winnsboro, Leslie Wells and husband Chris of Bellmore, NY, Dustin Collie and wife Serria of Winnsboro and Darren Collie and wife Blake of Choudrant. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren (and one more on the way), numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Carolyn Boutwell St. Amant and Beverly Boutwell Matherne.

Mr. Boutwell's grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Trebor Yocum, Ben Boutwell, Matt Boutwell, Dustin Collie, Will House, John Boutwell and Darren Collie.

Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church of Winnsboro.

Online condolences may be made at www.gillfirstnational.com.