Billy Rives

Billy Eugene Rives, 88, of Odessa passed away on October 31, 2018 in Odessa.

Visitation will be at 9:00 AM, Friday, November 2, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home.

A celebration of Billy's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Cemetery in McCamey, Texas.

Billy was born in Fisher County to Della Mae and William Alfred Rives on September 29, 1930. He went to and graduated from high school in Rotan, Texas. He married Essie Maxine Moore on February 12, 1950 in San Angelo, Texas. After farming for several years, Billy moved to McCamey and went to work as a shift supervisor for West Texas Utility Electric Rio Pecos Power Plant in Girvin, Texas. He worked for them for 40 years.
He was involved in many governmental and civic organizations in McCamey as well as Odessa. Throughout his time in McCamey, he was Chairman of the Board that founded West Texas Opportunities, served as City Councilman and Mayor, was on the Advisory Board of the Concho Valley District of the Boy Scouts of America, was on the board of the Mendoza Trail Museum and director of the West Texas Highway Project. He was always active in the McCamey's youth baseball program serving as a coach, the Federation Treasurer and President. He was state director of Texas Teenage Baseball for over 25 years. Billy was honored as 1996 Citizen of the Year by the McCamey Chamber of Commerce.

Lions Club in both McCamey and Odessa were a big part of Billy's life. He was a member in McCamey and the Odessa Downtown Lions Club for a total of over 50 years. He was a director of the Odessa Downtown Lions Club and received the Lion of the Year award in 2006-2007. Billy also received the Jack Welch Fellowship award for dedicated service to the children of the Texas Lions Camp.

Billy is preceded in death by both parents; brother, Riley Alfred Rives; sisters, Dorothy Cave, Elizabeth Mills, and Empress Adams; and son, Riley Eugene Rives; and his wife of 51 years, Maxine Rives.

He is survived by his current wife, Jesse Rives; son, Randy Rives and wife, Denise; brother, Weldon Rives and sister, Ruby Rives; grandchildren, Angel Thomas and husband, John and their sons, Tyler and Trent; Jennifer Bremerman and husband, Rob and their sons, Kaden and Kohl; Brandon Rives and wife, Jennifer and their children, Hunter, Riley, Parker, and Charlotte.

Pallbearers will be John Thomas, Rob Bremerman, Tyler Thomas, Trent Thomas, Kaden Bremerman, Kohl Bremerman, Hunter Rives, and Jimmy Johnston.

Memorials may be given to the Lions Club Children's Camp or Crescent Park Baptist Church building fund.

The family of Billy Rives wish to extend our sincere thanks to special friend, Betty Gray who has been a friend and shown devotion to Billy in caring for many of his needs over the years. They would also like to recognize the care and compassion given by Home

Hospice of Odessa and the workers of Brookdale Senior Living.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign his guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

Family and Friends Gathering

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, November 2, 2018
9:00 AM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Funeral Home Chapel
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, November 2, 2018
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Resthaven Cemetery-McCamey, TX
Farm to Market 305
McCamey, Upton, TX

Memorial Contributions

Lions Club
1101 Whitaker Ave #202
Odessa, TX  79763

Crescent Park Baptist Church Building Fund
3002 East University Blvd.
Odessa, TX  79762