Funeral service for LTC (Retired) Billy "Bill" Ray Gibson will be 12:15 PM Friday, October 13, 2017 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Alisha Cation of the Lawton Correctional Facility officiating.

Burial will follow with full military honors in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

LTC (Retired) Billy "Bill" Ray Gibson, 62, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Lawton.  Billy was born January 5, 1955 in McGehee, Arkansas to Curtis and Teressa (Petty) Gibson, II. Billy married Gina Denise Traister on March 17, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas.

Billy received his B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Arkansas and two M.A. degrees from Webster University (Human Resources Development) and The Command and General Staff College Graduate School (Management).

Following college Billy joined the U.S. Army and worked in various duties in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt until his retirement. While in the Army LTC Gibson served in Desert Storm and earned several medals and awards. His decorations were: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 ^th Award), Army Commendation Medal (2 ^nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2 ^nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 ^nd Award), and the Multinational Force and Observers Medal.

After retirement, Billy worked in several capacities with the Lawton Correctional Facility (formerly Wackenhut Corp.). He was a Senior Substance Abuse Counselor, Housing Unit Manager, and Compliance and Executive Assistant to the Facility Administrator. Billy most recently worked as a Child Welfare Specialist for the Department of Human Services.

Billy enjoyed going fishing with his son, gardening, playing with his granddaughters, and going to the casino (Billy was very lucky at the casino). He enjoyed watching Judge Judy and Judge Maury.

Billy is survived by his wife of the home, his sons, Quincy Gibson, Billy Gibson, Jr., and Nathan Gibson, his daughter, Corlette Gibson, his mother, Teressa Gibson, his sisters, Annette (James) Allen, Jeanette Scipho, Shirley (Cleo) Halliburton, Shelia Hutson, Jacqueline Gibson, Hattie Gibson, his brother, Curtis (Tina) Gibson, III.

Billy was preceded in death by his father.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758716, Topeka, KS 66675.