Mr. Billy Jack Denson

Funeral services for Mr. Billy Jack Denson, 69, of Carthage, Texas will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2025 in the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charky Marquis and Rev. Justin Pierce officiating. Burial will follow in Murvaul Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday evening, December 28, 2025 from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Billy Jack Denson was born June 21, 1956 unto the marriage of the late Patrick Denson and Eloise Keele Denson in Colorado City, Texas. Mr. Denson passed from this life on December 27, 2025 at his home with his wife and his Kathy girl by his side, in Carthage, Texas. Bill graduated from Westbrook High School in 1974 and went on to attend Western Texas College. After graduating from college, Bill went to work for Dowell Schlumberger as Operations Supervisor. In 1984, Bill began his career with various school districts across West Texas and Central Texas serving as Executive of Operations. Bill finished his career at Corsicana Independent School District as Transportation Director, retiring after 30 years of combined service. After retirement, Bill taught welding and ran the mail route at Navarro College. Bill met the love of his life, Lavon in March of 2005 and they were married on July 3, 2005. Bill and Lavon built a beautiful life of love and adventure. To know Billy Jack was to love him and if you had the honor of knowing him you know there was never a dull moment with him around. Bill and Lavon lived in Corsicana for 17 years where they worked for Corsicana ISD and raised their two sons, Mark and Ryan. In September of 2023, Bill thought it was time to get Lavon back to her roots of East Texas and enjoy the country life and the two little souls that he adored, Josh and Katherine. Bill and Lavon enjoyed camping with the boys at different places and enjoying the outdoors. After the boys left home, Josh and Katherine filled that void and enjoyed camping with Uncle Billy Jack and Aunt Von Von every summer and most holidays at Mills Creek Ranch and Resort in Canton, Texas. Bill and Lavon enjoyed 15 cruises throughout their marriage seeing parts of the world and different countries across the Caribbean. Bill’s legacy will live on in all the lives he has been a part of. Bill loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest each day. Bill was a faithful member of Woods New Hope Baptist Church were he cooked for each Wednesday Night Bible Study. Bill was a man of boundless energy and intelligence, touching many lives with his wisdom, humor and an unwavering spirit of perseverance. Bill’s life will forever be an inspiration and testament to the miracle working power of his Lord. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2019, Bill lived by the scripture of Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Bill fought his battle with courage, never complaining and was an inspiration to so many. Bill won the battle the morning Jesus called him to his eternal home. Bill is preceded in death by his parent, his brother, Don Denson; his father and mother-in-law who he adored, Leo and Pebble Porter. Two grandchildren, Emma Taylor Mutina and Briggs Porter Mutina and best friend, David Bray. Bill is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 20 years, Lavon; sons and family, Mark, Jennifer and Finley of Ponder, Texas and Ryan, Miranda, Hallie Grace and Blake of Cedar Creek; Chris and Kelly Denson; Lexi and Aleeya of Tallahassee, Florida and Ryan Denson; sister, Patricia Denson of Colorado City, Texas; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul and Kathy Porter, Tim and Cindy Porter; special nephew and niece that he loved dearly, Joshua and Katherine Porter; niece and nephew, Jennifer and Justin Whitby and great niece and nephews, Jaycee, Jeremy and Jackson Whitby; adopted mom, Nanette Bray and special “Aunts”, Johnnie Perry, Pat Wells, Rosie Adams and Gloria Davis; and a host of family and friends. Serving as pallbearers are Rick Newton, Dan Zorn, Sloan McCain, Stephen White and Dee Davis. Honorary pallbearers are Cody Fontaine, Don Perry, Joshua Porter, Tim Porter, Paul Porter, Sammy Ward, Benny Robinson and Ray Fountain.

Tributes

Mr. Billy Jack Denson

June 21, 1956 - December 27, 2025