Billy James Louder

STANTON - Billy James Louder was born on Mar. 26, 1928, in Martin County. At the age of 91, he died on Dec. 10, 2019, in Midland. He was the son of Raymond Clarkston Louder and Mattie Marshall Louder.

He was a graduate of Stanton High School and was voted Mr. Stanton High School in 1946. He played basketball and his team won 33 games straight. He also played on the football and baseball teams. He later officiated at sports events and drove a school bus.

He married Leona Phillips on Dec. 15, 1947, and they were married until 1992. They raised five children in Stanton.

He was a dedicated, hard-working cotton farmer and cattle rancher, owning farms in Martin, Howard, and Glasscock Counties. He worked in various cotton gins and in the oil fields. He retired from Caprock Electric, where he had worked as a lineman and dispatcher in Stanton. He enjoyed watching sports, listening to music and reading. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stanton.

He is survived by four children; Luan Abernathy and husband, Neal, of Richardson, Rosalyn Hart and husband, Joe, of Lubbock, David Louder and wife, Libby, of College Station, Lesa Renee Neese and husband, Michael, of Bastrop.

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren; Loral Abernathy, Marisa Bartlett, Justin Louder, Jarrett Louder, Tressie Hart, Kevin Hart, Heather Joffrion, Josh Louder, Cole Neese, Rendi Neese, and Kyler Neese, and thirteen great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Louder in 1978; mother, Mattie Louder in 1993; brother, Marshall Louder in 2014; and a son, Stanley Phillip Louder in 2011.

Funeral services were Dec. 18, at First Baptist Church, Stanton. Interment followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton.

Arrangements were under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home.