Van Alstyne, Texas -- On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Billy Earl Kemp, a loving husband, father, papa, brother and friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Billy Earl will forever be remembered for his kind heart,
his contagious laugh, and his always goofy and mischievous smile.
Billy Earl Kemp was born on September 17, 1958 in Leonard, Texas to Billy Ray and Betty Kemp. He grew up in Blue Ridge, Texas where he graduated from High School in 1978 and found his love for tinkering with cars which led him to a lifelong career as a mechanic. In 1975 he was set up on a blind date by his older brother and met the woman that he would eventually wed and shared
36 anniversaries with, Mary Elizabeth Moffett, making their family home in Van Alstyne, Texas.
After marrying on October 24, 1981, Billy Earl and Mary knew they wanted to start a family, and on September 16, 1983 (just one day before his 25th birthday) they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Shannon Latane Kemp. Three and one half years later on February 18, 1987 they completed their beautiful family by welcoming their handsome son, Earl Ray Kemp.
Billy Earl was a gentle, dependable and hardworking man that was loved by each and every person that knew him. He lived for his family, dedicating every moment that he had to watching his family grow and eventually getting his most favorite title of all, PaPa! Billy Earl loved spending time watching and playing with his grandbabies, riding on his Harley, attending King's Trail Cowboy Church, having family cookouts and playing dominoes with his brother.
Billy Earl will be greatly missed by his wife, Mary Kemp, daughter Shannon Gidney and husband Brian, son, Earl Kemp and finance Marley, grandkids, Jaxon Tuff and Charlee Lane Gidney, and Marley “Rae Rae” Kemp. He will also be remembered by his siblings, James and wife Lillie, Joyce and husband Ronnie, Terry and husband Jess and Debbie, as well as his in-laws, Latane and Kenneth Matthias, brother and sister in-laws, Billy and JoJo Moffett, and Lola and Hopper McKinney, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many lifelong friends.
Billy Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Ray and Betty Kemp and sister in law, Frankie Griffith.
Memorial services will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Kings Trail Cowboy Church, officiated by pastor Jason Norton.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Alstyne, Texas .