Long time ABBA member, past president Billy Dan Lindley passes

Billy Dan Lindley, 68, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012. He was born on January 16, 1944, to John Walker Lindley and Ruth Stewart Lindley. On July 20, 1963, he married Suzanne Gray. He was a lifetime resident of Sulphur Springs, Texas.

 

Following his graduation from Sulphur Springs High School in 1962, Mr. Lindley attended East Texas State University in Commerce. In 1966, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree and went on to receive his Master of Science Degree in 1972. He was an educator for a total of 29 years beginning his career as a teacher, coach and principal at Yantis ISD. After three years, he moved to Sulphur Springs ISD where he was a science teacher, junior high vice-principal, and elementary principal. He spent 21 years of his career as principal of his own elementary alma mater, Travis Elementary, where he helped coin the phrase “Extra Effort Equals Excellence.” During his tenure at Travis Elementary, he forged the way for many facility improvements which led the school to win the Texas School Beautification Award. Under his leadership, Travis Elementary was also recognized for numerous outstanding academic achievements and awards. He was a member of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. His insistence for high standards among his students and faculty resulted in a position on the Texas Education Agency School Evaluation Team, mentoring other school districts throughout the state. Mr. Lindley retired from teaching in 1998.

Billy Dan’s true passion was raising and promoting American Brahman cattle. He purchased the first of his registered herd in 1967. Through a dedicated breeding program, Lindley Brahman cattle have won numerous championships at all levels of competition. Billy Dan served as the Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President, and President of the Texas Brahman Association and Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President, President and Executive Committee Member of the American Brahman Breeders Association. He also served as chairman of the ABBA’s Youth Activities Committee and Membership Committee. In addition he served as an approved ABBA judge, traveling nation-wide to judge cattle. He was also recognized by the Texas Junior Brahman Association for his service to the youth in the Brahman industry. Billy Dan’s beef operation was recognized several times by the Hopkins County Extension Service. He was twice named Hopkins County’s Outstanding Beef Producer of the Year and also received the Outstanding Agriculturist Award.

Mr. Lindley supported the opportunities provided local youth through 4-H and FFA programs. He served as President of the North East Texas Livestock Association and was recognized with a 4-H Clover Award for nine years of service as a 4-H advisor. He received the FFA’s Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Bluff, and Savoy FFA Chapters.

Mr. Lindley was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, where he attended for many years and served on numerous boards and committees.

Mr. Lindley was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Suzanne; daughter Sara Anne Allen and son-in-law Dwayne of Sulphur Springs; daughter Susan Dian Perkins and son-in-law Daryl of Newcastle, Oklahoma; grandchildren Savannah Dianne and Blaine Robert Allen; brother John Walker Lindley, Jr. and wife Sandra of Frisco, Texas; sister Mary Ann Anglin and husband Ben of Sulphur Springs; mother-in-law Mary Gray of Sulphur Springs; James Jordan, who was like a son, and wife Katie of Sulphur Springs; nieces and nephews Curt King, Randy Lindley, Tony Anglin, Christi Attaway, Lori Lindley, and Jeannie Darlin; and many great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his world-wide Brahman friends, faculty, staff, and all former students throughout his career.

Pallbearers will be Dwayne Allen, Daryl Perkins, James Jordan, Curt King, Randy Lindley, Bill Alford, Ben Anglin, Wesley Attaway, Doyle McKinzie, and Bill Allen Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are G.V. Hughes, Coy Johnson, Danny Durham, Richard Teer, Vaden Richey, Tracy Berry, Jack Chubb, Mark McClendon, and the officers and directors of the American Brahman Breeders Association.

Visitation will be at Murray Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:00 am. The service will then be posted on the church website Friday for a few days.  Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Billy Dan Lindley Memorial Scholarship of the American Junior Brahman Association. Donations may be mailed to the AJBA, 3003 South Loop 610 West, Suite 520, Houston, Texas 77054.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

The online register can be signed at:

www.murrayorwosky.com

Live webcast of the service will be available at http://www.ssfumc.org/#/broadcast/live-broadcasts