Billy Matthew Lumpkin passed away on Friday, April 7, 2006 at the age of 73 years.

The son of the late Andrew Lumpkin and Dorothy Hays Lumpkin, Billy was born on November 1, 1932 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was reared and educated in Oklahoma prior to moving to California at the age of 16.

He enlisted in the United States Army in February of 1950 and received his honorable disability discharge in June of 1954. During his venture in the Army he received several different awards and metals including the Korean Service Medal with ten Bronze Stars; United Nations Service Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal and for three years had been in a Prison Camp.

Following his discharge he was married to Jean Barrett on December 20, 1954 in California and the couple established their first home in Lexington, Oklahoma at this time, living in Lexington until 1962 when they moved to the Ripley and Cushing area.

Billy was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the First Born on December 25, 1954, and had served as an Elder for many years, and was a member of the V.F.W.

He was a devoted husband and father, spending time with his family; going to auctions, reading, playing dominoes, cards, playing horse shoes and just being outdoors.

At the time of his death he was on his way to Arkansas to defend his World Title in weight lifting, and had told everyone that he was going to break another world record this weekend.

He is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Jean Lumpkin of the home in Ripley; two sons, Ricky and his wife Susan and Mark of Ripley; two brothers, Robert Lumpkin and his wife Hisako of Ocean Side, California; and Benny Cuyno and his wife Linda of Modesto, California; seven sisters, Linnieve Adams and her husband George of Stockton, California; Charline Rose Lumpkin of Stockton, California; Linda Sue Oswood and her husband Bill of Valley Spring, California; Ola Fay Bryan of Noble, Oklahoma; Joequita Nadal of Stockton, California; Kathy Olamit and her husband Ed of Sacramento, California; and Corina Waite and her husband Leonard of Ceres, California; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers Thomas and Paul Lumpkin; one sister Leona Nadal; and two grandchildren, Cody and Caleb Lumpkin.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carney General Assembly and Church of the First Born with brothers John Rossiter and Gerald Carter in charge.

Serving as casket bearers will be Caleb Lumpkin, Casey Lumpkin, Matt Schlehuber, Matt Stanton, Heath Ashment and Raymond Carter.

Serving as honorary casket bearers will be Jerry Linder and Robbie Linder, Thomas Lumpkin and Colton Lumpkin.

Burial will follow in the Tryon Cemetery.