Billy Ray Allen, 86, of Marshall, Texas passed away at home surrounded by family on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

He was born in Marshall in 1938 to Silves and Lurline Barfield Allen and grew up in the Gill Community with his brother, Charles Wilson ("Jackie") and sister, Barbara Ann Allen Harris. He started working at his uncle's dairy farm when he was in high school, later worked at Thiokol, and then signed on with T&P Railway (now Union Pacific Railroad) as a Trainman at 22 years old where he retired more than 40 years later.

He married Gloria Fletcher on June 4, 1960. He joined the Army in 1961 after the birth of his first son, Robert Bret. In 1964, Billy Ray and Gloria welcomed son, Randall Bart. When the boys were in middle school, the family moved to the Gill Community, raised cattle and later a commercial vegetable farm.

He was a life-long member of Friendship Baptist Church and attended Sunday School.

He was an avid outdoorsman, fishing and hunting throughout Texas, Alaska and Colorado. As a couple, he and Gloria enjoyed cross-country traveling and RV camping with their grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jackie and son, Bret.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Allen; son, Bart Allen and wife, Holly; daughter-in-law, Brigitte Allen; grandchildren, Randi Rascoe and husband, Jared, Taylor Allen, Grace Hargrove, Gabriel Hargrove and Ryan Lucadou and husband, Landon; great grandchildren, Levi Lucadou, Laci Lucadou, Zach Allen and wife, Jenny and Asher Allen and sister, Barbara Ann Harris along with many cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Friendship Baptist Church on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Baptist Church.