Palmer, Billy Wayne 


Billy Wayne Palmer, 63, of Longview, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2006, at 
his home. Billy was born September 17, 1942, in Dermott, Arkansas. After high 
school graduation in Dermott, he joined the U.S. National Guard in 1960. He 
graduated in 1965 with a degree in chemistry from Arkansas A&M College in 
Monticello, and in 1970, he received his doctorate in physical organic 
chemistry from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In 1969, he moved 
to Longview and worked at Texas Eastman Chemical Co. for more than 30 years 
and retired as superintendent of the texanol department. After retirement, 
Billy enjoyed volunteering at the Habitat ReStore and served on the Habitat 
for Humanity board of directors. He also was active in the Texas Baptist Men's 
Disaster Relief Team. Billy taught adults how to use and enjoy their computers 
in the computer lab at the Recreation and Outreach Center at First Baptist 
Church. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. 
Billy met his wife, Jerri Parker Palmer, in 1964, and they had more than 41 
wonderful years together. They taught Married Young Adults in Sunday school 
for many years at First Baptist Church and at Parkway Baptist Church. During 
his lengthy illness, he received many cards and e-mails from friends who 
expressed that he was a Christian role model for them as they started their 
families. Billy is survived by his wife, Jerri of Longview; his parents, Fern 
Palmer of Longview, and Vernon Palmer of Dermott, Arkansas; his son, Kevin of 
Longview; his daughter and her husband, Susan and John Prejean of The 
Woodlands; his sisters and their husbands: Norma and Don Pierson of Pine Bluff, 
Arkansas; Jenny and Chester Johnson of Longview; and Reyne and Rick Merrell of 
Longview; his brothers and their wives: Ronny and Susan Palmer of Colorado; 
and John and Karen Palmer of Alabama; his two grandsons, Jackson Mark Palmer of 
Longview; and Benjamin Parker Prejean of The Woodlands; his sister-in-law and 
her husband, Margaret and Allen Waldrup of Hamburg, Arkansas; and many nephews, 
nieces, and cousins. A family graveside service will be at Rosewood Cemetery 
with a memorial service to celebrate his life at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2006, 
in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Longview, with the Rev. Harlan Hall 
and Dr. Kenneth Hall officiating, under the direction of Welch Funeral Home, 
4619 Judson Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the 
Billy Palmer Memorial Computer Lab Endowment Fund, First Baptist Church, 209 
East South St., Longview, TX 75601; Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2551, 
Longview, TX 75606; or East Texas Baptist Disaster Relief, 22177 State Hwy. 154, 
Diana, TX 75640. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening, 
July 14, 2006.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/14/2006

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Palmer, Billy Wayne    

Memorial services for Billy Wayne Palmer, 63, of Longview, will be 3 p.m. today, 
July 15, 2006, at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Harlan Hall and Dr. Kenneth 
Hall officiating. Interment will be in Rosewood Cemetery. Arrangements are by 
Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road. Mr. Palmer died July 13, 2006, at his 
residence. Born September 17, 1942, in Dermott, Ark., he served in the U.S. 
National Guard, was a retired superintendent at Texas Eastman Chemical Co., and 
member and deacon of First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Jerri 
Parker Palmer; mother, Fern Palmer; father, Vernon Palmer; son, Kevin; daughter, 
Susan Prejean; sisters, Norma Pierson, Jenny Johnson, and Reyne Merrell; and 
brothers, Ronny Palmer and John Palmer. An online registry may be signed at 
www.news-journal.com, by clicking on the obituaries link.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/15/2006.