Billy Gene Beck passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010, at Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 77 years.

Billy was the son of Ferman & Ollie (Camp) Beck, born on March 1, 1933, at Lamar, Oklahoma, where he was brought up and attended schools. He was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years, and served in Korea.

Billy married Patsy Merkel on February 24, 1953, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. They lived in west Texas for many years, where Billy worked in various oilfield locations. They moved to Holdenville, where he owned and operated B&C Drilling Company and also Southwest Warehouse, a cold storage facility in Durant, Oklahoma. He was co-owner of a railroad refurbishing company called Railroad Contracting in Sherman, Texas. He retired in 1999, but never stopped working because it was the 'hobby' he most enjoyed.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Ferman & Ollie Beck, and two brothers, Huey Doyle Beck and Loyce Beck.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Patsy, of the home; one son, Ricky Beck and wife Joyce of Ada, and one daughter, Linda Beck, of Holdenville; two grandchildren, Laramie Beck of Ada and Shiloh Beck-Renes and husband Brian of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Nollan Beck and wife Modean, of Calvin and H. R. Beck and wife Ginger, of Lamar; two sisters, Alice Smith of Holdenville and Bethrene Blaylock and husband Kenny, of Calvin; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, and Billy will be laid to rest in the Holdenville Cemetery, with Rev. Art Dodd officiating.