Obituary for Billy J. Baldwin Bill went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2018 in Corsicana, Texas. He was born on May 18, 1932 at Pisgah Ridge to parents Jesse E. Baldwin and Mary Lane Baldwin. He graduated from Richland High School in 1950 and married Vada Keller on February 2, 1952.
They lived at Retreat, then in Corsicana for the remainder of their lives. They celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2017. Bill was a loving husband, father, brother and uncle.
He worked at Miller Hat Factory, then as a butcher for Safeway Food Stores and later for H.E.B. Grocery store until he retired. He became a Christian at an early age and was a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Corsicana since 1970. Bill was well known and loved around the North Texas area as an avid and accomplished musician.
His main instrument was the fiddle, and he played in numerous Country and Western dance bands, also playing Texas Swing and traditional fiddle tunes, starting at the age of 11. He was a member of the Silver Spur Play Boys band in the ’50s and the Nightlighters in recent years. He played with numerous famed musicians through the years such as Hank Thompson, Floyd Tillman, Freddy Fender, David Frizzell, Jerry Gimble and Buddy Brady.
He became aquainted with Gene Watson, Johnny Gimble, Bill Anderson and Tony Douglas. Bill and Vada loved going to the Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion where he won awards in the contest, and later served as judge. He also played guitar, trumpet and sang in his bands.
He often performed, sang, and led music in church. Many fun evenings were enjoyed by family and friends when Bill and his musician friends held big jam sessions at an annual family campout at Navarro Mills Lake. Bill also loved motorcycling, boating, water-skiing, camping, going to Six Flags, teaching Sunday school and working with the youth group at his church.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Vada, his parents, sister Juanita Griffin and four brothers, James, Lloyd, Charles, and Jesse Ray Baldwin. He is survived by daughter LouAnn Baldwin, sisters Jo Edith Brown and Irene Davenport Robinson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 11:00 to 12:00 PM at Corley Funeral Home.
Graveside services will immediately follow at 12:45 PM at Younger Cemetery in Purdon, Texas with Bro. Johnathan Simons officiating. The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to Twilight Nursing Home for their love and excellent care of Bill during his time there.
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