William "Billy" R. Barnes - Millennium Cremation Service

William “Billy” R. Barnes

March 10, 1945 ~ May 26, 2021

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Captain William (Billy) R. Barnes, Jr., passed away, after a long fight of illness, in the VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach, Florida, May 26, 2021. He is preceded in death, by his wife, Sharon Barnes, and his long time companion, Brandy (Woody to those who knew her), his cat of 17 years. Survived by daughters, Shelby Barnes (Pete Hengen), of Vero Beach, Shannon Lynch (Bob Lynch), of New Smyrna Beach, and sister, Judy Bremer, of California.

Born in Indiana, raised in Inadale, LA, California, Billy had a passion for surfing and fishing. He was a great story-teller, and his adventures were full of details of his friends and family. A Vietnam Veteran, of the Sixth U.S. Army, he was a person of respect and dignity. He never forgot his time in the army, nor the friends he made, while in service.

Our father was known for having the “gift of the gab” and regaling all with his tales. With a glass of scotch, he’d get comfortable, and settle into a story about his growing up in LA, his move to Vero Beach, Florida, and meeting our mother, Sharon. He was loved by many, and while he was a handful, he made up for it, in his smile and laugh. He had the ability to make anyone laugh. Captain Billy never met a stranger, and to his credit every where he traveled, he made many friends.

Aside from his passion for surfing and fishing, he adored the mountains of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. He moved his family there in 1982, becoming the District Manager, of Gulf Life Insurance. He and Sharon moved to a farm house, where they took care of cattle, grew a huge garden, and let the area envelop them in all the nature that the mountains could provide. After the passing of his step-father (Joseph Barrett), they relocated back to Vero Beach, to take care of his mother, Gladys Barrett, before her passing several years later. Upon moving back to Vero Beach, he decided to do what he loved, and became a Charter Fishing Guide, for the area. After all, he had over 40 years of fishing experience on the Indian River Lagoon.

Captain Billy was truly a character. He will be missed by all who knew him, and as his favorite poem states, “Nothing Gold can Stay” (Robert Frost).

“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.”

Per his wishes, there will be no memorial service. Instead, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Lung Cancer Association in honor of Sharon Barnes or to the VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach, Florida

Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.

Condolence

Diane Phillips DuBose

June 1, 2021, 7:26 pm

Please accept my condolences with your fathers passing. Though I didn’t know Billy, I was friends with Sharon in school. When I see my cardinals by my feeder, I’ll offer a prayer

Linda Hallock

June 1, 2021, 7:45 pm

God Bless your family and Billy’s friends. I didn’t really know him but I know he was a great guy from what I’ve heard. Wish I would have had the opportunity to have gone on a charter fishing trip with him. ❤️

Cindy Carmichael

June 1, 2021, 10:08 pm

So very sorry for your loss. Billy was a dear friend for many years and will be sorely missed. Many dinners with Billy, Sharon, and Gladys as well as boating and fishing. I know the party is on as well as the poker games.

Sharon Burchfield

June 1, 2021, 10:39 pm

Love both you girls and especially loved Bill. I already miss our phone calls. We have so many great memories with him and your mom. We had great times. I pray you find comfort in memories and time makes your loss a little easier.

Donna Short

June 3, 2021, 1:34 am

What a beautiful tribute to your father. I’m so glad I got to spend time with him at the weekly poker games. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet your mother, but only heard good things about her. My thought and prayers are with you.

Cheyenne Luyao

June 3, 2021, 11:53 pm

Sad to hear the news about Billy Barnes passing away. I have many wonderful memories that I will Never forget, like the crazy boat rides lol. Oh my goodness, what a time that was. Also many mornings at Leon’s having breakfast and so many more. You and Sharon are together again and I know y’all are celebrating in heaven!!!! My condolences to his family and friends. He will definitely be missed by many!!!

Sharon Brelle, Denver, Colorado

June 6, 2021, 6:50 am

My friend, Judy, is Billy’s sister. I have fond memories of Billy from when Judy and I were best friends in high school. Billy once attempted to climb into Judy’s bedroom window when I was at her house. He stood up on a large tin trash can only to fall down which made a loud, clattering noise on the cement patio. Although he didn’t get hurt, Judy and I can laugh about it to this day. Billy was quite a character back then and funny.

As I learned of Billy’s recent passing, I felt very sad. I wish I could have seen him more as he grew up and into adulthood. Please accept my sympathies for your loss. Bless you for being there for Billy and caring for him. This I know because Judy and I are still friends.

Daniel Wilson

June 12, 2021, 3:06 am

Circa 1960, Billy, Steve Waterbury, Rich Ravana and I were, or thought we were the terrors of our respective neighborhoods around Baldwin Hills in LA. My recollection was that it was usually Billys’ idea to do something silly, and so we would. Luckily, nothing led to injury nor jail time. It was a great time in a great place with great guys. I was very pleased, if not a tiny bit surprised, maybe even a bit jealous to hear that Billy had retired years and years before the rest of us were able to.
Billy will be missed, and remembered fondly here in Colorado. I’m sorry we never got together after our school and service years.
My sincere condolences to his family and many friends.
Dan Wilson
Audubon s’60, Dorsey, s’63

Ron barnett

June 20, 2021, 6:37 pm

Shelby and Shannon
I am shocked that I accidentally found out about Dad. Nobody contacted me and I’m sorry to read this beautiful obit. I imagine now that Lee has.also past the poker game will be in full swing. I’m not looking to join them anytime soon. Thankfully they have enough players without me.
My condolences
Ron Barnett

Peter W Beuttell

July 23, 2021, 11:50 pm

Hi,
I had the great fortune of knowing Bill for many years. I Am truly saddened by his passing. I have done his pest Control for many many years. I remember even tough normally the service would take only a short amount of time to do. I would schedule more time. To sit down and talk with him. And that I will miss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely, Peter W. Beuttell

Peter W Beuttell

July 23, 2021, 11:52 pm