Billy Fred Blakemore 1931-2024

Billy Fred Blakemore of Mineola passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at age 92 in Mineola, surrounded by his family and their tears of joy for the remarkable life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.  

Bill was a true Sooner, born the youngest of eight children in 1931 on the family farm near Madill, Okla. He had two amazing Christian parents from whom he learned at a young age the value of hard work and the importance of family.

He attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. while working full-time at Southwestern Bell Telephone. Before completing his studies, he was called away to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. After completing his service, he returned home, completed his degree and began a career with Southwestern Bell which would last 42 years.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Rice, in 1953, and they raised two children, Brad and Beverly. In 1980, he married Melodie Dodd and together they raised two children, Melissa and Bo. Melodie passed away on Dec. 19, 2023 on their 42nd anniversary.

Family was incredibly important to Bill, and as the patriarch of his family, he made sure traditions were kept and relationships remained strong. He was instrumental in starting the annual Blakemore Reunion which brings in over 200 family members each year in Madill. He and his wife Melodie also worked to bring her side of the family together each year at the annual Higginbotham Reunion as well as for Easter gatherings in Kosse.

While Billy Fred cherished his family above all else, softball was high on his list of passions. He lived and breathed the sport for decades and made sure his family was a part of his pastime whenever possible. Over his long life, he played with teams while working at Southwestern Bell, as well as with city and church leagues, and enjoyed the opportunity to play for many years with his sons Brad and Bo. His softball career really took off when organized Senior Softball was introduced in the mid-1980s, and he never missed a season until he finally retired his glove at age 85. 

He and his wife Melodie traveled all over the world playing ball and were blessed to attend a mission trip in Africa where they spread the word of Christ and taught the local children how to play the sport. Among his many medals, trophies, national championship rings and other honors, Billy Fred was inducted into the Texas Softball Hall of Fame in 2011. He was a bottomless well of energy and enthusiasm to all, and his wife Melodie was his greatest fan for over four decades.

Bill and Melodie served at Northrich Baptist Church in Richardson for over 30 years and at First Baptist Church in Mineola for six years. Bill was a natural leader in his church communities and had a special place in his heart for elderly people in need of help and companionship or those in the hospital in need of prayer. He led countless numbers of people to Christ, and wherever God led them, he and Melodie ministered to all. Even in Bill’s final weeks, he led a fellow resident at his assisted living center to Christ – a testament to his belief that his work was never done and to his commitment to serving the Lord to the very end.

Billy Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Melodie Blakemore of Mineola; wife, Barbara Blakemore of Alameda, Calif.; parents, Frank Sherwood Blakemore and Alta Gertrude Blakemore of Kingston, Okla.; and his siblings, Clayton Oda Blakemore, Joseph Walton Blakemore, Annie Della Blakemore, Frankie Gertude Blakemore, G.C. Blakemore, Mary Virginia Blakemore and Virgil Ben Blakemore.

He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Spike and her husband Don of Mineola; his son, Brad Blakemore and his wife Tammy of Mineola; his daughter, Melissa Avant and her husband Michael of Greenville, S.C.; and his son, Bo Dodd and his wife Candice of Salado, as well as eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and hundreds of nieces and nephews.

Billy Fred will always be remembered as a man with purpose, a man destined to make a difference in countless lives, a father who was always there in times of need, and a husband who loved and cared for his wife until the day he died.

Billy Fred’s tribute and funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen TX 75013. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4 at the same location.

Flowers are certainly welcome. You may also wish to make a donation in Bill’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.