Billy O'Neal Hightower
Marriages
Frances Argo - December 14, 1956
In El Paso, Texas
Brenda Jones Hatley - July 11, 2005
In Grand Junction, Colorado
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3 D Obituary - September 20, 2015
Billy O’Neal Hightower died
September 10, 2015, at the VA
Medical Center in Salisbury,
NC.
He was born May 6, 1933, in
Todd County, KY, to Mabel
Ione Saddler and Odis J.
Hightower. He grew up in
Kentucky, graduating from
Clifty High School in Elkton
in 1951. He received a
Bachelor’s Degree in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in 1963 from
Western Kentucky State College.
Billy married Frances Argo on December 14, 1956, in El Paso,
TX. They had three daughters, Kathy, Donna, and Beth. They
later divorced. Billy married his longtime companion, Brenda
Jones Hatley, on July 11, 2005, in Grand Junction, CO.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1958. He was an
F-86 jet mechanic and served in the Korean War. He later taught
social sciences at Central High School and Mesa College in
Grand Junction, CO. In 1979, he began working for the
Department of Veterans Affairs. He worked for the VA for 18
years in Utah, North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado in many
different positions. After retiring from the VA in 1997, he
became the Mesa County Veterans Service Officer.
He was a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, and
served in many different offices at all levels, including the
Colorado State Department Commander and the Colorado State
Judge Advocate. Billy was elected National Commander of the
DAV in 1978. He traveled the world working for the benefit of
disabled veterans, meeting with President Jimmy Carter,
addressing Congress, and attending diplomatic meetings with
other world leaders. While National Commander, he worked on
an outreach program for veterans called Forgotten Warrior
Project that was ultimately adopted by the VA.
Billy was an avid reader, and he especially enjoyed history. He
loved country music (especially Willie Nelson), NASCAR,
airplanes, and engines of any kind. He had a keen sense of
justice and fairness, which is why he was so passionate about
the work he did for the benefit of veterans worldwide. His
contributions to veterans and to his communities will be
remembered for many years to come.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers,
Winfred, Dudley, and Thelma Hightower, and by his daughter,
Kathy Augustine. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Hightower
of China Grove, NC; daughter, Donna (John) Garrett of Grand
Junction, CO; daughter, Beth (Ray) Paramore of Salt Lake City,
UT; stepson, Daniel (Caroline) Hatley of Chapel Hill, NC; sonin-
law, Mike Augustine of Paonia, CO; grandsons, Nick
Augustine of Craig, CO, and Orion Augustine of Paonia, CO;
granddaughters, Darah Garrett of Grand Junction, CO; Alexis
Young and Caitlyn Garrett of Orem, UT, and Danielle Paramore
of Salt Lake City, UT; sister, Betty Laster of Russellville, KY;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Billy will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Billy’s name to the
Disabled American Veterans.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7 B In Memoriam - June 8, 2016
Billy O. Hightower
May 6, 1933 - September 10, 2015
A memorial service for Billy O. Hightower will be Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall located at 503 1/2 Florence Road, Grand Junction, CO.
All are welcome to come remember this great man that touched so many lives.
