Billy Ray Myrick Obituary (1927

Billy Ray Myrick, age 93, passed away on September 6, 2020, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Springville, Utah. He was born in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas on May 28, 1927, to Vivian Marion Myrick and Jettie Eunice Downing. In grammar school, Billy was always getting into some kind of trouble. He liked to test the waters!! It appears this is where his inquiring mind started… Billy tried playing football in high school until a BIG guy picked him up and threw him to the ground. That was the last day he ever played. He decided he would join the R.O.T.C. Program. He graduated from the O.M. Roberts Elementary School on May 28, 1941 in Tyler, Texas and only completed 2 years of high school. Billy was a newsboy when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. He joined the Navy on April 30th, 1945 at the age of 17. During WWII he worked as a Riveter on the B-36 bomber. He got injured while working on an oil rig in 1951. A piece of machinery fell and hit the back of his hard hat and back. Billy moved to Los Angeles and worked as a bus driver for 9 years which is where he met his sweetheart, Barbara Joan Olsen. They were married on November 4, 1954 in Alhambra, California. Together they had two amazing sons, Alan Ray and Robin Ray. He learned how to print using his GI bill and started Myrick Press in 1959. After he retired in 2005, he worked at Sam’s Club and Walmart until 2017. His favorite food was a McDonald’s large black coffee and a sausage McMuffin. Billy was well loved by his friends and family and will forever live on in those he left behind: Barbara his beloved wife of 66 years; their two sons: Alan (Marti) and Robin (Pat); 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held to honor Billy on Friday, September 11, 2020 at the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.