Billy Reginald Allen

Billy R. Allen

Billy R. Allen, 85, of Orange died Sunday, December 1, 2024, in Houston.  

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Bud Davis, Pastor of Commonground Community Church. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Old Ramah Cemetery in Ashland, Louisiana.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Billy was born in Ashland, Louisiana on July 17, 1939, the son of Virgel Allen and Velma Warren Allen. Billy graduated as Valedictorian from Ashland High School, where he excelled at basketball, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Billy was employed as a chemist at Union Carbide Nuclear Company, Y-12 plant, near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Escambia Chemical in Pensacola, Florida, and Texaco Research Laboratory in Port Arthur until his retirement. In addition to his formal education, Billy was self-taught in electronics, computer tech, mechanics, carpentry, welding, and heavy equipment operation; and he could repair just about anything. Billy even ran a bulldozer business, V&B Dozer, with his dad, Virgel, for several years. Billy enjoyed fishing and hunting a variety of wild game and his love of bow-hunting led to a hobby of competitive 3D archery. Other hobbies included CB radios, dirt bike trail riding, and photography. His photography hobby led to working part-time as a professional wedding and portrait photographer. Billy was a lifelong fan of the LSU Tigers, especially football, basketball, and baseball, and the Houston Astros. Above all, Billy was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, living his faith daily through helping others, sharing the Good News of Jesus, charitable contributions, and serving at Commonground Community Church in Bridge City, where he was a member. His legacy lives on through his family, as he was a loving husband, father, and “Paw-Paw” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by his parents, Virgel and Velma Allen, Billy is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Diane Allen; his children, Suzonne Vann and husband, Joe, Danette Matthews and husband, Leonard, Paul Davis and wife, Kim, and Gina Smith and husband, Jerald; his grandchildren, Billy Melancon and wife, Christina, Joe Ivy Vann, Jeremy Vann, Sarah Yeldell and husband, Clayton, Josh Matthews and wife, Kira, Madison Morrison and husband, Lane, Mason Davis, Lauren Knight and husband, Cody, Hannah Lucia and husband, Curt, Jessica Melancon and husband, Jarred, Kasey Smith, and Gabrielle Shultz and husband, Jimmy; fifteen great-grandchildren; 5 cats; and numerous other loving family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Samaritans Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org, The Humane Society at www.humanesociety.org, or a charity of your choice.