Billy Lee Banks

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe with the Rev. Jerry Salisbury officiating. Billy will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery following the ceremony. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.Billy was born on February 22, 1932, in West Monroe, Louisiana. He married the love of his life on September 16, 1954, and had three daughters whom he cherished more than life. He served his country as a paratrooper in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He served his community as Ouachita Parish Police Juror of Ward 5 for eight years. He was a dedicated employee of Riverwood International and retired as a Railroad Supervisor after over 40 years of service. Billy was an avid fan of the West Monroe Rebels and LSU Tigers and spent his Friday nights listening to Rebel football on the radio and his Saturdays watching his Tigers. Above all else, his family was the most important thing to him, and he was so proud of his kids and grandkids.God gives his toughest battles to His strongest soldiers, and Billy was as strong as they come. He survived getting shot in the war, a rare heart disease that claimed the lives of his brothers, countless heart attacks, two types of cancer, a broken neck, and a heart transplant at the age of 73. To his family, he was our superhero. His kindness was felt by everyone around him, and he wouldn’t hesitate to go out of his way to help anyone at any time. The world is bleaker without him in it but infinitely better because of the life he led and those he impacted along the way. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Bethel Banks; his three brothers, Johnny Lee, Tommy, and Bobby; and his granddaughter, Shelby Deniece.He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Alice “Patsy” Banks; his three daughters, Cheryl Powell and husband Jimmy, Sandy Skinner and husband Larry, and Tammy Shannon and husband Robert; his ten grandchildren Clay Locklear, Jeremy Skinner and wife Angela, Jennifer Stamey, Sandi Thomas and husband Jason, Brian Banks, Tommy Banks, Mark Banks, Brandon Banks, Elizabeth Shannon and Bryan Shannon; his eight great-grandchildren, Reagan, Levi, Layla, Ben, Ethan, Dylan, Myles, and Jack; nieces and nephews; and special friends, Craig Pate and Denise Donald. Billy was also preceded in death by Robert Shon Carnley. Although they never met on this earth, Shon gave Billy the precious gift of extended life through organ donation. On August 20, 2005, Billy received Shon’s heart and was given ten more priceless years of life. Shon’s gift was truly immeasurable, and he will forever remain a part of our family.Pallbearers will be Eddie Emory, Randy Banks, Craig Pate, Chris Bartlett, Brian Jones, and Jeff Donald. Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin Emory, J. E. Lee, Rudy Aikens, and Jesse Lenard.In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the Cardiovascular Department at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston or to Donate Life America.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com