Billy Dean McMinn

Billy Dean “Bapa” McMinn, 75, of Pampa (previously of Lefors), went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, surrounded by his family at home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, Aug. 29, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Pastor Rick Timmons of Central Baptist Church of Canadian officiating.  Burial will follow in Memorial Heights Cemetery in Lefors. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. The memorial service will be livestreamed at  https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/live-streaming

Billy was born on Dec. 25, 1944 to Imogene (Conway) and Floyd W. McMinn in Childress, Texas. He attended school in Childress and later moved to Lefors and graduated in 1964. He married Wilma Yvonne Earles on July 3, 1964. They recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. They were blessed with two sons, Christopher Dean on Jan. 18, 1965 and Clinton Lane on Dec. 7, 1967. Billy and Wilma enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, camping and hanging out with family, especially the grandkids.

Billy spent 43 years in law enforcement. He began his career with the Clarendon Police Department in 1965. He later worked for Memphis PD, Childress PD, Lake Patrol at Lake McClellan, Lefors City Marshall, Beckham County Sheriff’s Deputy and Criminal Investigator, Hemphill County Sheriff’s Deputy, Gray County 31^st District Attorney Investigator, Lamb County Deputy and retired in April 2008 as Littlefield Police Chief.

He served on the Lefors Volunteer Fire Department and EMS. He achieved Master Mason in 1988 with Canadian Masonic Lodge 855.

He owned and operated Billy McMinn Welding and Backhoe Inc. from 1975 to 1982 and served on the Railroad Commission from 1975 to 1976.

He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd on Oct. 9 2007; his father-in-law Bill Earles on Feb. 17, 2007; his mother-in-law, Elsie Earles on Aug. 31, 2013; great-granddaughter, Sky McMinn in 2015; brother-in-law, David Earles on Feb. 20, 1984; and cousin/brother, Jerry Conway on Dec. 30, 2012.

Survivors are wife, Wilma of the home; sons, Chris McMinn and wife Connie of Balko, OK. and Clint McMinn and wife Traci of Panhandle; mother, Imogene McMinn of Pampa; brother, Mark McMinn of Amarillo; 7 grandsons, Coty McMinn of Oklahoma City, OK, Tyler McMinn and wife Kaylee of Chickasha, OK, Kyle McMinn and wife Michelle of Mustang, OK, Ryan McMinn of Beaver, OK, Travis Williams of Midland, Seth McMinn of Spur and Sean McMinn of Panhandle; 3 granddaughters, Samantha and husband Ralph Gonzalez of Perryton, Cheyenne McMinn of Guymon, OK, and Sara and husband Carson Spitler of Amarillo; 7 great-grandsons, Kayce and Sloan Gonzalez of Perryton, Charlie and Maximus McMinn of Chickasha, OK, Aaron McLean of Mustang, OK,  Nicholas and Carston Williams of Wyoming; great-grand-daughter, Zoe Williams of Wyoming; brother-in-law, Billy Earles and wife Margit of Columbia, MD.; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Texas Oncology, Texas Home Hospice. The family also would like to thank a very special angel, Terrie Cochran, who has been a god-send to our family during these past few months.

Memorials can be made to ADVO, 5241 S. Washington St. Amarillo, Texas 79110. Lefors Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 361 Lefors, Texas 79054.