Billy Carroll Haggard
Billy Carroll Haggard, long time Ellis County and Ennis resident, sadly passed on Friday, May 14, 2021, at 8:15 a.m. He was born December 12, 1930, in Roby, Texas, to Bluford Haggard and Roxie Youngblood.
Bill, as he was commonly known, was drafted to the Armed Services where he served as a Marine and saw combat in the Korean War. After proudly serving his country, he returned to Texas where he resided in Krum with his widowed mother, Roxy. He found work with the Texas Highway Department and married his longtime pen mate, Barbara Isbell (Rutledge). After moving to Ft. Worth and managing the Wyatt Food Store and Pharmacy, he and Barbara had the first of his three children, Patricia Ann Haggard (LaBounty).
He moved to Ennis in 1961 where he commuted to the Dallas Rail Yard where he worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 38 years as a switchman. He became the father of his remaining two children, Jana Deniece Haggard (Jennings) and Jason Carroll Haggard. He came to be embedded in the community as a Little League Baseball Coach and a recognizable smile around town. Bill divorced and remained in Ennis, sharing life with his 31-year sweetie, as he referred to her, Margaret Walls. He retired from the railroad and found a calling to many plants in need of care at the local Walmart, where he rose before dawn to provide them with their first watering of the day.
In his final days, he kept his infectious smile and a warm “whatever…” to his family and visitors. He was loved by all of us whose lives he touched.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bluford and Roxy Haggard; his eight siblings: CG, Bobby, Willy, Jack, Jimmy, Dora Alice, Maggie and Bertie. He is also sadly preceded in death by his first born, Patricia (Patty) Haggard LaBounty.
He is survived by Margaret Walls; children: Jana Haggard Jennings and spouse Mike, and Jason Haggard and spouse Linda; as well as grandchildren: Kyle Jennings, Jordan and Chris Hebard, Justin and Amy Prachyl, Roxanne LaBounty, Carly Haggard, Courtney Haggard; and great grandchildren, Claire and Trevor Jennings.
He was a pillar of the family always loving and ensuring a strong family bond. He was a man that lived his life in the manner he chose including being generous and kind till his final moment. He will be missed but never forgotten by his loved ones.
A family visitation was held Thursday, May 20, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., as well as a memorial service on Friday, May 21, 2021, at 10 a.m. Both were held at the J. E. Keever Mortuary, 408 N. Dallas St., Ennis, Texas 75119. The family welcomed anyone wishing to celebrate his life to attend either. Masks were required to attend.
