Billy Wayne Griswell

At 25, he settled down a bit when he married the love of his life. They continued their married adventure for the next 43 years. Sherry was right by his side almost every second of his illness right up until the very end. She was holding his hand as he took his final breath.

At 28, just a few minutes past midnight on New Year's Day, he became a father.

For the next 41 years he never failed to call Christa on her birthday and remind her of how she ruined New Year's Eve that year but that he loved her anyway.

She was a daddy's girl, especially as a child and wanted to be with him everywhere he went. Billy was often going places she was too little to get into. She was convinced that she could hide in his pocket and go with him. She did everything to try and convince him of the same.

At 39, Billy's parenting adventures continued when he got a surprise with the arrival of his son. And Corey continued to surprise them. Whether it be a snake in the bath tub or a green tree frog on the wall, you just never knew what he would be up to. The mayhem continued into his teens and young adult life. He kept Billy on his toes just as I am sure Billy did for his father. You know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

At age 50, he had to do something that he swore he would never do. After 22 years of telling his daughter that she couldn't date until she was 30, and threatening to lock her in a closet, or that he was going to put a rock on her head, he walked her down the aisle and gave her away. He made one last attempt outside of the church for them to make a run for it, but Christa refused. It didn't take too many years before Billy realized that he didn't lose a daughter...he gained a Cory Hahn. And those two became best of friends. Billy loved him like his own son. And they had many adventures of their own.

At 51, he had the privilege of becoming a grandpa. That began his grand parenting adventure.

Camden was welcomed into the world and celebrated as the first grandchild.

Two years after that, came Clayton, and those two would be inseparable. Right or wrong they were always into something. Billy loved that boy with all his heart. I think it may have been because Clayton reminded him of himself as a kid.

Chloe graced them with her presence just four years after that and Billy was overjoyed to have a granddaughter. As she grew, she reminded him more and more of that little girl he loved so much all those years ago.

The following year Corey welcomed a daughter into the family but not without a good scare. She was four months premature. But Billy knew she was gonna be tough. Little Aubree was the miracle baby

When Colt was born in 2020, he insured the Griswell name would be carried on. And that made Billy very happy.

It's no secret that Billy enjoyed drinking and having a good time. You could often find him in the backyard listening to country music and having a beer with his friends or family. If you couldn't find him there he was most likely taking his beloved Rico for a golf cart ride around town.

He liked to gamble. He found great enjoyment in going to the casino a couple times a month. Although he was not big into sports, he did enjoy watching and betting on the Kansas City Chiefs. He had fun wagering against Johnny Hurst, especially during the World Series and Super Bowl. He would always look forward to Johnny coming to visit for the weekend so they could drink, watch sports and catch up on lost time.

In recent years, he found a love for the river and kayaking. He loved camping with his family at Castor River but was often injured when horse playing with his grand kids. and when I say "often" I really mean always. He also looked forward to the annual kayaking weekend with his friends.

Billy had many catch phrases that his friends and family will always remember.

"Do as I say, not as l've done"

"If you can't take it, say you can't take it!"

«You can't worry about every little thing"

"Better safe than sober"

"Make me some beer money"

Billy was hilarious. To know him was to love him. He was an excellent story teller. He never met a stranger and was always the life of the party. He loved entertaining his family and friends. He was most definitely one of a kind. Life was always an adventure with him.

So as you can see, his life was an adventure. It was a really good one for him.

But all good things must come to an end. And Billy's adventure now is over. Although we will miss him greatly, I know he is enjoying his new adventure in heaven. And he'll tell us all about it when we get there.