Obituary

Shafer, Billy John

Graveside services for Billy John Shafer, 78, of Waco, TX will be held Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 3:00pm in the Abernathy Cemetery with Lawayne Henderson, officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 1:30pm at Abell Funeral Home in Abernathy, TX. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX.

Mr. Shafer died Thursday, October 1, 2015 in Waco, TX.

He was born February 4, 1937 in Needmore, TX to Bub and Fiddle (Stevenson) Shafer. Billy attended school in Circleback, TX. He married Vada B. Neighbors on November 8, 1959 in Lubbock, TX. They moved to County Line, TX in 1969, to Granbury, TX in 1985 and then to Waco, TX in 1996. He was dedicated to his family and friends and expressed himself artistically with drawing and woodworking. He found joy in country, swing, and gospel music, especially when shared with family and loved ones. Billy lived and died in faith of the Church of the Living God. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Billy Grimsley, and a great-granddaughter, Hope Grimsley.

Mr. Shafer is survived by his wife, Vada Shafer of Waco, TX, five children, Dianna Grimsley and husband, Jerry, of Abernathy, TX, Tammy Grimsley of Waco, TX, Johnny Shafer and wife, Susan, of Waco, TX, Gary Shafer and wife, Amanda, of Ellinwood, KS, and Dana England and husband, Charles, of Maple Grove, MN, 13 grandchildren, Elizabeth Horsford and husband, Ty, and Zachery Grimsley, all of Abernathy, TX, Andrew Grimsley and wife, Kati, of Andrews, TX, Levi Grimsley and wife, Breeanne, of Lubbock, TX, John Peyton, Cooper, and Lucy Shafer all of Waco, TX, Mattie, Katie, and Justyn Shafer all of Ellinwood, KS, and Rhett, Ethan and Dylan England all of Maple Grove, MN, and 2 brothers, Ronnie Shafer and wife, Pat, of Stephenville, TX and Donnie Shafer and wife, Marsha, of Brownwood, TX.

The family suggests memorial donations be sent to Providence Hospice Place of Waco, 6700 Sanger Ave., Waco, TX 76710 or a local hospice of your choice.