Billy Wayne Locke's Obituary
Billy Wayne Locke died, as he wished, at home in Coarsegold, California where he lived with his wife of 24 years, Mary Ann Locke. It was early in the morning on October 26, 2024 and he was 86 years old.
He is also survived by his daughter Terri Swafford, his sons Robert “Moose” and Tim Locke, and his four grandchildren Charles and Billy Swafford and Caitlin and Cameron Locke.
Born on August 29, 1938 in Leary, Texas, a rural community in the northeastern part of the state, he lived his early years in that region, in both Arkansas and Texas. It’s a region with many years of the history of his ancestors. His paternal great-grandfather and great-great uncles founded the town of Lockesburg, Arkansas in 1869. His maternal grandmother’s family (Shipp) has a long history in Bowie County, Texas.
Billy eventually ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he met and married Patricia Ann (Hendrix) Locke. They lived in Oakland, California where they started their family: daughter Terri and then their sons Robert “Moose” and Tim. He served in the US Navy from 1957 to 1960 and then worked for almost 40 years as a maintenance machinist, first in the Southern Pacific Railroad and then at Coulter Steel in Emeryville, California. He retired in 1997. He had been a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers since 1967. The family lived in Fremont, California for many years and he spent much of his free time making numerous home improvements, fixing things, and tinkering in the garage. He also enjoyed collecting knives, reading history, spending time outdoors, fishing, and deer hunting. Billy’s wife Patricia died on November 27, 1998. They were married almost 42 years.
After her death, he met and married his second wife, Mary Ann Locke. Together they moved to Coarsegold, California. There in the Sierra foothills they enjoyed a peaceful country life. However, with 8 acres and his love of fixing and building things, there was plenty to keep him busy. His ashes were buried at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward. Remember him each time you spot a deer.
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