Billy Burkett Fortune

A funeral service for Billy Burkett Fortune, Colonel (Ret.) United States Air Force, 93, of Pollok, Texas, will be held at 10:00a.m., Friday, October 13, 2017 in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home, Marshall, Texas, with Rev. John McGuire officiating. Interment will follow the service in Andrews Cemetery, Karnack, Texas. Visitation with family and friends will take place Thursday, October 12, 2017 at Downs Funeral Home from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Mr. Fortune passed away Saturday, October 07, 2017 at his home. Billy Burkett Fortune was born June 3, 1924 in Smithville, Texas to Ray and Ella Mae Burkett Fortune. He was a graduate of Mineola High School class of 1942. While in high school Billy enjoyed and excelled in sports, specifically football. After graduation he attended Texas A&M University from 1942–1944. In 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During this time Billy attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he graduated as 2nd Lieutenant. Early on Billy realized his love of flying, his love of country and those two things together shaped much of his future. After his graduation from the academy, Billy relocated to Barksdale Air Force Base where he served as a pilot instructor. It was during this time his life would forever change. Billy met a beautiful young lady and his future bride, Betsy Jane Hartzo. In 1947 he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Korea. Everyday overseas Billy had two missions, to serve his country honorably and return to Betsy. He succeeded at both and on April 23, 1948 Billy married the love of his life at Karnack Baptist Church. Shortly after their marriage they relocated to San Antonio where Billy was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base. He then became a flight instructor at Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas. In 1950 he was discharged from the Air Force but remained active in the Air Force Reserve. After Billy's active military discharge, which would not be the end of his military career, Billy and Betsy relocated to Fayetteville, Arkansas where Billy studied industrial engineering. He graduated in January of 1953 and immediately went to work for the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company in their planning and distribution department in Shreveport, Louisiana. During this time while still active in the Air Force Reserve Billy was promoted to Colonel and served as the Squadron Commander for the 917th Combat Support Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base. In 1972, Billy and Betsy relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas where he assumed the role of planning and distribution for the state of Arkansas at the ARKLA Gas Company. At the time of his retirement from ARKLA Gas in 1982, Billy was a registered engineer in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Following retirement Billy continued to work in the oil and gas industry forming small independent oil and gas companies. Two years after his civilian retirement, in 1984, Billy retired from the United States Air Force after a lifetime of respectable and honorable service to his country. At the time of his retirement Billy had obtained the rank of Colonel. Prior to his retirement Billy had the opportunity to participate in a once in a life time experience. Billy was the co-pilot of the first ever military plane flown into a hurricane. He would later recount the story stating, it was like flying a plane under water. After many years of hard work and dedicated service to his country Billy would begin to settle into retirement with his wife Betsy. They began to travel the states and abroad. They loved their trips to the Hawaiian Island of Maui, Europe, and Israel. While Billy and Betsy enjoyed their travels, the memories made with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the best and most cherished of all. The family would like to thank Renee, Trisha and Charlotte, the Visiting Angels and his caretaker, Amber and the members of Hospice of the Pines all of whom were very caring and attentive to Mr. Fortune's needs. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC. 20090-7251 or the University of Arkansas Engineering Scholarship Fund at 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701-1201. Online condolences may be made at www.downsfuneralhome.com.