Funeral Services for Billy Harold Bacon, 87, of Purcell will be held  at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Union Hill Baptist Church in Purcell. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.

Family will greet relatives and friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at Wilson-Little Funeral Home.

Billy Harold Bacon (October 11, 1935- April 8, 2023) was the best man. He was deeply loved by his family and respected by his community. He was steadfast in his love for his family and for the Lord. He loved those around him well; his beloved wife of 69 years, his family, his neighbors, his friends and strangers. Bill was never still for long and loved to work.

He literally worked around the clock for years at Bacon’s Texaco. He owned and operated the filling station and wrecker service for 42 years. In addition, he kept the family farm in full operation: raising cattle and baling hay. He spent his summers on the tractor and operating his custom hay baling business.

He was a pillar in the community of Purcell: as a business owner, civil servant and volunteer firefighter. Bill was able to be who he was because of the love of his life, Velma Harris Bacon. The high school sweethearts were married for 69 years and worked as a team on all of their endeavors. Papa loved to be outside and to be with Nana. They set an example for their children and grandchildren of choosing each other over all else for nearly seven decades.

They had two children, six grandchildren and 16 great-grandkids. As parents, they took Brent and Jana on all kinds of adventures, taught them to work hard and treat people how you want to be treated. As grandparents to Brian, Tommy, McKenzie, Cassie, Whitney and Chigger they spoiled them well, cheered them on and made them each feel like they were their favorite. Papa made time for each grandchild and his steady presence was constant in all they ever did. He loved to laugh and play with them, but wasn’t afraid to sit them under the pool table to think things over if he had to. All of them are better for having Bill Bacon as their Papa.

Papa wasn’t only Papa Bill to his flesh and blood but to countless kids who grew up at Union Hill Baptist Church. He taught 2-3 year olds Sunday school for over 35 years. He brought the snacks, played with play dough and introduced 100’s of kids to the love of Jesus for the first time. Bill was also a charter member of Union Hill and he served as a deacon for many years. He loved Jesus and we’re confident he was welcomed home as a good and faithful servant. 

Billy Harold Bacon was greeted in Heaven by his parents, BH and Gladys (Huddleston) Bacon and his younger brothers, JC and LD.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Velma; children, Brent Bacon and his wife, Teresa, and Jana and her husband, Gary Selman; all six of his grandchildren, Brian and wife, Kim Bacon, Tommy and wife, Crystal Bacon, McKenzie and husband, Chris Gordon, Cassie and husband, Lendall Hays, Whitney and husband, Nate McConathy, and Chelsie and husband, Jared Semkoff; his great-grandchildren, Brendan, Landry, Emrie, Tucker, Bennett, Mollie, Casen, Houston, Henry, Walter, Brooks, Reed, Libbie, Murphie, Teddy and Sutton; as well as by his sisters-in-law, Joyce and Susie Bacon plus many other friends and family members.

Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.