Billy W. Lankford

September 23, 1932 - April 11, 2022

Funeral Services for Billy Lankford Sr., 89, of Rusk will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Rusk under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Odis Bryan, Rev. Richard Methvin, and Rev. Lee Flowers officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Mr. Lankford passed away April 11, 2022. He was born September 23, 1932 in Jacksonville, Texas to the late Settie and Ira Lankford. Gardening and cows were his passion. He retired after 36 years at Rusk State Hospital, and was a Deacon at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in Death by his parents, son Mitchell Lankford, and a great grandson Gauge Lankford. He is survived by his wife of almost 71 years Bessie Lankford, son Billy Lankford Jr. and his wife Lori, grandsons Donald and his wife Lindsey Lankford, Rocky and Ashlia Lankford, Aaron and Leslie Lankford, Kenny and Connie Lankford, Corry and Adrianna Lankford, granddaughter Nancy Lankford, numerous great-grandchildren and his special niece Amanda Levine. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the funeral home. His grandsons will serve as his pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Butch Walley, Richard and Ryan Massingill, Roger Redden, JW Adams, Charlie Cornelius, and Jamie Watson. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1062, Rusk, TX 75785 for the Note Fund.