WILLIAM DONALD “BILLY” CREECH

WILLIAM DONALD “BILLY” CREECH
12/04/42 – 11/13/21

William Donald Creech, better known as “Billy”, passed away Friday, November 13, 2021 after battling pulmonary fibrosis for several years. A celebration to remember and reflect upon Billy’s life was planned for family and friends at First Baptist Church in Logansport, LA. Visitation was held on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and the funeral service will take place Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd “Shug” and Betty Jo Van Cleave Creech; his brother Danny Creech; and his sister Karen “Cookie” Thompson. He is survived by his loving family, daughter Kristi Pinkston and husband Dwayne; granddaughters Paige Pinkston and Magen Morris and partner Ashley Simon; girlfriend Terri Foley; brother Sam Creech and husband Niko Corolla; sister-in-law Flora Creech; nephews Charlie Thompson and girlfriend Kelly Weber, Brian Creech and wife Allison; niece Deanna Creech-Cornwall and husband Brandt; very dear and close friend Lynda Hinson; and a host of extended family and friends.

Billy will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, quick wit, generosity, and his love of family and friends. He was always considered to be thoughtful, full of good advice, and the type of person who would do anything he could to help someone in need. He loved to tell jokes and make others laugh. Billy has always enjoyed charming the ladies, and even enlisted the help of his then 8-year-old granddaughter, Paige, to create online dating profiles for him.

Billy was born in Logansport, LA on December 4, 1942 to parents Lloyd “Shug” and Betty Jo Van Cleave Creech. He attended Logansport High School where he made many lifelong friends and excelled in sports. A talented athlete, he lettered and received All District honors in both football and basketball. After high school, Billy became a medic in the Army Reserves where he was awarded a medal for sharpshooting. He spent most of his adult life working in the steel fabrication industry and also owned a used car lot, which he greatly enjoyed.

Billy married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Nadine Ferguson. They later had a daughter, Kristi, who was and continued to be the light of his life. Billy was a loving, caring, attentive, and devoted father. He was extremely proud of Kristi for her academic achievements and was always in the audience to support Kristi during her showdeos, pageants, motocross racing, and cheering and twirling at ball games. When Kristi married and had children, Billy was elated to be a grandfather to Magen “Hunny Bunny” and Paige “Paiger Girl”. He enjoyed hiding Easter eggs yearround for Magen and teaching Paige to play his favorite sport, basketball. The girls most remember their daily visits from Papaw, frequent rides around town with him, and great stories of him and the family growing up in Logansport.

The family spent many summers on the river where Billy drove the boat up and down the river, teaching numerous children and adults to water ski. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and traveled to several sites with friends including Las Vegas, Memphis, and Charlotte. Billy also had a talent for drawing and created hand drawn Christmas cards for family members and friends each year. If you knew Billy, you know he had a great memory and could recall the stats of not only his own football and basketball games, but those of his teammates, as well as other athletes and teams he admired and followed. Billy loved assisting his girlfriend, Terri with farming and flower delivery and taking short vacations. He has also been known to impersonate Willie Nelson and John Dutton.

Billy was a strong, Christian man and has been a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Logansport where he volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and helped with service and mission projects. Perhaps his greatest ministry was that of driving friends and community members to medical appointments for chemotherapy, radiation, and other types of treatment.

Billy was also very involved in working with others to support local hero Kenneth Harvey and was a key member of the committee that developed and p r o d u c e d “Gamechanger”, the documentary about Kenneth’s life. Billy and friend, John Russell, continued to visit and support Kenneth after the completion of the documentary and throughout the rest of his life.

As his condition worsened, Billy reconnected with old friends and made frequent visits and phone calls when he was able. If he missed you, he’ll see you on the other side. His family deeply appreciates the phone calls, messages, visits, and expressions of kindness while Billy was on Hospice and after his passing. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to the staff of Affinity Hospice for your compassionate care these past few months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Logansport.

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