Mr. Billy R. Easter's Obituary
Billy Ray Easter, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle transcended from his earthly home to his heavenly home on September 30, 2019. Billy begun his spiritual journey as a young adult and the values of God & family resulted in hi determination, dignity, graciousness and love for God. The Lord had a higher calling for Billy and he was ordained into the ministry in the early 1980s. After accepting his ministerial calling, Billy was ordained as Elder at faith Tabernacle Church (Portland, OR) on July 19, 1984 where he served faithfully as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Transportation Minister, and sound engineer. He also served as an Elder and Deacon at Grace Covenant Church (Portland, OR), Word of Truth Worship Center, Inc. (Meridian, MS). He and his wife were faithful members of Agape Storehouse Church (Meridian, MS).
Billy affectionately known as “Bill” was born on March 21, 1939 in Meridian, MS to Vasti Easter and Lester Longmire. He was educated at Mount Barton Elementary and slo attended Wechsler High School. In 1957, Billy left Meridian and moved to Los Angeles, CA to live out his dreams in the big city.
On April 7, 1963, he married the love of his life and soul mate, Veronica Williams. They packed their belongings and moved to begin their new life in Portland, OR. Billy and Veronica welcomed to this union two children: Cheanice Lovett Easter and Billy Lamar Easter and years later they adopted his wife’s nieces, Donna Fisher.
Billy was a devoted husband and father. He spent his entire career working at Smurfit Stone Container Corporation (SSCC) located in Portland as a forklift driver, a career that he loved. He was also a certified mechanic who was recognized by his family and friends as the best mechanic in town. He retired from SSCC in April 2006 and followed his lifelong dream of returning to his childhood home in Meridian, MS. In 2007, he and his loving wife left Portland, OR and moved to Meridian to enjoy a lifetime of retirement and easy living. Billy enjoyed the simple things in life. He spent much of his time working on cars, reading his bible, fishing, hanging out with family and friends, and sharing the goodness of the Lord with everyone that he came in contact with.
Remembering his legacy and cherishing his memory: his loving wife and best friends of 56 years, Veronica; two daughters: Chaenice Stone (Chris) of Portland, OR; Donna Thompson (Phillip) of Bowie, MD; one son, Billy Easter (Phyllis) of Clinton, MD; five grandchildren: Asunté , Geremy, Imani, Lamar and Amari; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters: Thonsey (Penny) Droumond of Warren, OH; Marie Longmire-Cobbin of Chicago, IL; and Teretha Longmire; one brother, Keith Longmire of Bellwood, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends, as well as his extended church family, The Grace Covenant Church Family, The Agape Storehouse Church Family and the Word of Truth Church Family
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