Billy Blanchard

Billy Ray was born March 31, 1952, to Warren and Marie Blanchard. Billy Ray was my uncle, and he was a big kid who liked to have a lot of fun. Uncle Billy had a tough childhood because of his health. He missed a lot of school because he was in the hospital with his asthma issues most of the time. But he learned a lot from his daddy, my papa, and became a very good farmer. He could grow some of the greatest tomatoes and the hottest peppers. He learned how to hunt growing up. He would also fish a lot. He fed the whole family with deer meat, quail, dove, fish, and he even went to Alaska and hunted bears and came home with bear meat from his kill. He really liked and appreciated good food. He would always try new foods too. I think he lived to eat, lol.

Uncle Billy loved all his family and often worked in the background to give his brothers and sisters a good Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. He took up a lot of his time raising his nieces and nephews. He was very proud to be an uncle. I'm his niece and I loved him very much and he was his favorite and his grandnephew Derek was his favorite too. Uncle Billy worked hard to pass on what he had learned to all the children in his family. He loved being a grand uncle too. He was the fun uncle and liked to do fun things with his family, and he loved his friends too. He was very sociable and appreciated good homemade food by someone who loved and cared about him. I can't even tell you how many cookies, cakes, bread puddings and pies I have made for him. He's been to my house many times and ate dinners and thanksgiving meals with us. He was the kind of uncle and friend that made you feel proud of yourself and made you feel loved. A few months ago, he did the right thing and gave his heart to Jesus Christ and was baptized. Our Uncle Billy Ray passed away Feb. 6th from asthma. He was 74 years old.
That's what's so comforting to me and I just want to celebrate that Uncle Billy Ray is saved, safe in heaven with Jesus.

Please celebrate the life he lived and not forget the things he did that were right and good. And remember, Billy Ray still loves us.
We love you, Uncle Billy Ray, forever.

Memorial Service will be at Brooks Ave. Church of Christ, 700 Brooks ave., Raleigh NC 27607

Saturday, February 28th, 2026