Billy Edward Legate

Billy Edward Legate, age 81, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2014, at his home in Galveston, TX with his family by his side. He was born on June 11, 1932 to parents Edward T. and Bernice G. (Stone) Berry Legate in Galveston, TX.

Billy’s family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Sunday, February 2nd, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Monday, February 3rd, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home with The Rev. Kenneth Wooley officiating. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, TX.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Leona Berry Legate Piel, of Galveston, TX; brother, Louia Eugene Berry of Corpus Christi, TX; brothers-in-law, Ray N. Anderson and Henry Piel. His extended family include his wife’s family of Royce T. and Vetis L. Wooley; brothers-in-law, Royce L. Wooley, William R. Johnson and Robert Everett Wooley; sisters-in-law, Doris Wooley Orr Smith Buras, Jolene Wooley, and Elizabeth Johnson.

Billy is survived by his wife of sixty one years, Edna Pearl (Wooley) Legate; daughter and her husband, Cathy Lynn and George DeWain Adcox of Galveston, TX; sons, Donald Edward and wife, Barbara Legate of Sugar Land, TX; Paul Allen Legate of Galveston, TX; grandchildren: Stacie C. Simmons, Rebecca L. Adcox, DeWain E. Adcox, Starla K. Adcox, Lawren K. Legate, Paige N. Legate, and Stephen E. Legate; great grandchildren: Skylar L. Barton, Kylie R. Simmons, and Kimberly E. Simmons, all of Galveston, TX. He is also survived by his sister, Betty J. Anderson and her family of Houston, TX; Lawren’s mother, Kelly and her husband, David Reagan, of La Marque, TX, and Paige and Stephen’s mother, Calice Garon Legate of Galveston. Extended family members include brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families: Kenneth W. and Sylvia Wooley, of Temple, TX; Billy Don Wooley, of Houston, TX; Patricia Wooley of Ft. Worth, TX; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special forever friends include Robert A. and J. Patricia Thorn and family; David M. and his late wife, Nita Rojas, and family; and the late Lloyd and Martha Wright and family; and many other friends and neighbors that have journeyed with him through his lifetime. All will truly miss him.

Billy attended GISD schools until his senior year, when he accepted a position with the Burleson Rock Island Rail Road, where he was employed until October, 1952. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War, stationed as a gunner at the front lines at the thirty eighth parallel, in Korea. He was honorably discharged when he returned in October, 1954. He was employed by the City of Galveston at the Waste Water and Fertilizer Plant, from which he retired in July, 1994, after forty years of service. He was a BOI who never thought of moving from the Island. His desire to earn a high school diploma was completed in 1957. He never met a stranger, so spoke to all he passed. His hobbies were working on vehicles with friends, traveling and camping with family and friends, building or repairing anything, fishing, “eating out,” playing with and trying to boss the kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, plus any family and friends that happened to be around.

Billy became a Christian at an early age and was baptized at Broadway Baptist Church. As a teenager he and Edna Pearl became friends, dated almost five years, then married on July 25, 1952. When the church building was sold in 1971, the congregation became known as University Baptist Church and moved to 426 Winnie, where they remained as charter members until 2009. Their present membership is with Immanuel Church.

Billy’s family wishes to extend special thanks to Rosemary Vargas, Chris Perry, Patricia Diaz, and The Hallmark Hospice Care for all the help and support during this time.

Casket bearers will be Donald Legate, Paul Legate, George DeWain Adcox, Stephen Legate, DeWain E. Adcox, and Christopher Perry.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Missed but never forgotten by all.