Billy Rose, 84, of Woodville, passed away peacefully at his home in Woodville, Texas on Friday, August 28, 2026.
A Celebration of Billy’s life will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in Woodville, Texas.
Billy was born on September 1, 1941 to Ruben and Bytha Bush Rose in Laurel, Mississippi. A longtime resident of Tyler County, he was a retired area supervisor from AT&T, formerly Southwestern Bell. He had also worked 12 years in the Tyler County Probation Department, 10 years with Mill Masters and served as Mayor of Woodville from 1992-1996, as well as being an Alderman on the City Council of Woodville from 1985-1992, and 1998-2000. Billy was appointed by the Governor of Texas as a Board member of the Community Development Block. Grant Review Board from 1989 – 1993. He served on the Republican Presidential Task Force in 1990, Board member of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments for 2 years, Board member of the Tyler County Tax Appraisal Review Board from 2000 – 2006, 2009-2026, Chairman of Board of the Tyler County Tax Appraisal Review Board from 2012-2014, Board member of the Southeast Texas Resource and Conservation & Development Council from 2000-2005, past President of the Southeast Texas Resource and Conservation & Development Council from 2005-2008, and was Chairman of the Tyler County Diabetes Council from 2012-2014. He had been active in the Woodville Lion’s Club where he was past President in 1993-1994, and was Lion of the year in 1994.
He had served as President of the Woodville High School Band Booster Club in 1986 and served as Treasurer from 1978-1985. Billy was an active member of the Woodville Masonic Lodge #495 where he was an endowed member of Magnolia Lodge #495. He received the Golden Trowel Award. He also was a chartered and endowed member of the Billy Wayne Tinsley Lodge #1458 and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #459 in Woodville. He was Worthy Patron 2 times. He was an endowed member of Houston Scottish Rite Bodies in 1972. He also served as a chartered member of the Deep-East Texas Scottish Rite Club where he was a past President. Billy was a member of the Knight Commander Court of Honor in Houston, Texas. He served well, but his love was for his Lord and Savior and his family. He was a faithful member, Deacon and Sunday School Director of Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in Woodville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Bytha Rose; brothers, Tommy Rose and wife Marlene, Ralph Rose, and David Rose; son Billy Wayne Rose Jr. and wife Carolyn; granddaughter-in-law, Crystal Rose; and sister-in-law, Liz Cook.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sherry; daughters, Lesha Burkhalter and husband, David, and Rebekah “Becky” Rose; son, Darryl Rose and wife, Shanna; grandchildren, Everett Rose, Jon Rose and wife Stephanie, Krista Loftin and husband Kenneth, Ashley Barber and husband Zach, Myndi Godinez and husband Nathan, Heather Burkhalter and husband Dustin Hicks, Shane Mozingo, and Autumn Rose; great grandchildren, Mason & Izabella Loftin, Asher & Logan Rose, and Sophie & Reid Godinez; brothers, Bobby Rose, Curtis Rose and wife Darlene, and Roy Rose and wife Janet; special family friend and adopted daughter, Pearlie Powell; and numerous other adopted family members.
Memorials may be made to Dogwood Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2068, Woodville, Texas 75979.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.
