Billy Joe Southwell

B. J. (Billy Joe) Southwell passed away on July 28, 2021. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 2 at Oakwood Cemetery (2124 South 5th Street) in Waco, Texas, with Dr. Charles Dixon officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 pm on Sunday August 1, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home (6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco). B. J. was born November 22, 1929 in Waco and was a lifetime resident. He graduated from Waco High School in 1948. He married Flo (Mary Florence) Swanzy on March 22, 1960. He was in the grocery business for many years and owner of B. J.’s Food Store in North Waco. Then, he worked at M&M Mars until he retired in 1990. After retirement, he enjoyed going to garage sales and had a booth at the Craft Gallery full of his findings. B. J. was a member of North Waco Baptist Church for many years until he moved to Woodway and joined First Baptist Church of Woodway in 1977. B. J. was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Southwell; his brothers Ed Southwell, Raleigh Southwell, and Robert Southwell; and his sister Ruth Jones. He is survived by his loving wife Flo Southwell; his daughters Julie Waldrip, and Tricia Wood and her husband Steve Wood; his granddaughter Katie Stewart and her husband Bryan Stewart; his grandsons Donnie Waldrip and fiancée Nicole Soisson, Boone Waldrip, and Alec Wood and fiancée Cheyenne McEwen; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Morgan of Hewitt; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 220 North 11th Street, Waco, TX 76701; or charity or church of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com, and to listen to B. J. Southwell’s oral memoirs at the following URL: https://digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com/Documents/Detail/oral-memoirs-of-billy-joe-southwell-audio/986914