06/08/2020
Billy L. Funderburk, 75, left this world to rest safely in the arms of Jesus on Sunday, June 7, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Bill was born July 16,1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas to James and Diana (Kennedy) Funderburk.
A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Center at 11am on Saturday, June 27th.
Bill accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was seven years old and committed the rest of his life in service to God.
His father worked for Mobile Pipeline for many years and they moved a lot in Bill’s 18 years at home, so he had no problem meeting people and making friends quickly.
After graduating High School in Kermit, Texas, Bill went to Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, majoring in Music Education. Upon graduating from HSU, he completed a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Eastern Kentucky University, Lexington, Kentucky.
He married the love of his life, Joyce Porter Funderburk, on August 29, 1964 at Lamar Street Baptist Church, Sweetwater, Texas.
He served in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant during the Vietnam war era. He served as Commander of the 543rd Military Police Company in Ft. Knox, Kentucky until his discharge in 1971.
Bill was called by God to the ministry and for the next 50 years, served as Minister of Music in several Baptist churches in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming. The last full time position was at First Baptist Church, Center, Texas, where he and Joyce served for 15 years.
Bill was a very kind spirit with a smile for everyone. He had a beautiful singing voice and loved to play his trumpet and guitar in the privacy of his home and during worship services.
He is survived by:
His wife of 55 years, Joyce Porter Funderburk, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Children:
Kevin Funderburk, wife Regina of Lake Charles, Louisiana
Kimberly Funderburk Roberson, husband Kevin of Temple, Texas.
Mother Diana Funderburk of Midland
Sisters:
Dianne Redus of Cleveland
Judy Day and husband David of Midland
His pride and joy were his grandchildren:
Garrett Roberson and wife Kelly, USAF Spokane, Washington
Drew Funderburk, Texarkana, Texas
Chayli Funderburk, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hope Roberson, Temple, Texas
McKynzi Roberson , Temple, Texas
Esther Funderburk, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Eden Funderburk, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Additional family members and friends also mourn his passing.
Preceding him in death was his father, James Lawrence Funderburk, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Knox and Rubye Porter, infant granddaughter, Alyssa Lauren Jones, grandparents H C and Cora Funderburk and J B and Ruby Kennedy, and brothers-in-law, Ronald Porter, Royce Porter, and Billy Redus.
His wishes were to be cremated.
Services under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, LA.
