Billy Gene Jacobs

ARLINGTON – Billy Gene Jacobs, age 96, left his earthly loved ones, family and friends to be with Jesus on Sunday (his favorite day of the week), October 1, 2023.

FUNERAL: 11am, Thursday, October 12, Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington 76013, Dr. Bill Skaar officiating. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery 1:15pm. Visitation: Wednesday, October 11, 6 to 8pm Wade Family Funeral Home.

Billy was born in Greenville, Texas and attended Greenville High School. He lived all his life in Texas in Greenville, Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie but considered Arlington home as Billy resided there for over 60 years. Billy served his country in WWII in the Navy overseas in the Philippines receiving honors for his commitment and loyalty. Upon returning from overseas, Billy married Wanda Malone of Wolfe City, Texas, continued to serve his country through the Army Reserve and Naval Reserve and began a career in Fort Worth in the corrugated box industry at Container Corporation of America (“CCA”). Wanda and Billy moved to Arlington when CCA relocated to the Great Southwest Industrial Park. At CCA, Billy began his career as a machinist but, due to his work ethic and inherent leadership skills, quickly worked to be promoted to management of printing, finishing and shipping before retiring from CCA after 34 years. After a brief enjoyment of retirement, Billy finished his career at Simpkins Industries serving 7 years in various managerial roles. Billy served the community through his involvement with Junior Achievement and his church.

As a husband, father and grandfather, Billy imparted the family’s core values of importance of education including a college degree, the value of a day’s hard-work and devotion to family. In his later years, as a great grandfather, he was popular for his infamous Donald Duck voice impersonation. Billy promoted and supported his sons in sports, music, leadership and academic participation. As well, he was an active participant in his grandchildren’s lives often spending quality time with them and attending choir and band concerts, baseball games, cheerleading competitions and track and cross country meets. As a husband, Billy assumed the role of the primary care giver to his wife during the last 8 years of her life. Loving his family was his priority in life. Billy’s “hobbies” included traveling (especially to Hawaii), eating, washing and working on his and his sons’ cars, intensive yard work and home improvements, watching old westerns on TV and being a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.

Billy was a lifelong Baptist, having memberships at First Baptist Church Grand Prairie, University Baptist Church Arlington and Birchman Baptist Fort Worth. During his active years, he was a Deacon, taught Sunday School classes and sang in the Senior Choir. Billy loved the Lord and Baptist hymns. On Sundays, he was the first one up, cooked the family breakfast and blared Hymns We Love on the radio. Billy was often the loudest singer in the congregation while being “off-key” but all knew he was singing straight from his huge heart. He was a self-taught piano player.

Billy was preceded in earthly death by his wife of 66 years, Wanda; parents Ethyl and Ben Jacobs; sister Dorothy Krause; and brothers, Bill, James, Glenn, Ben and Wayne Jacobs.

SURVIVORS: sons, Mark Jacobs and wife, Shae Jacobs, Billy L. Jacobs and life-partner, Rebecca Herget; granddaughter, Jennifer Bowland and husband, Jacob Bowland; grandsons, Landry Jacobs and Ryan Jacobs and wife, Alyssa Dickerson; great grandchildren, Joshua Bowland, Juliet Dickerson and Soren Jacobs; Jennifer and Ryan’s mom and friend to Mr. Jacobs, Denise Jacobs.