Marion Edward “Billy” Howze, 93, left his earthly home, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family and friends, and entered into his eternal home to be with his Lord on March 29, 2015. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel with Rev. Brad Brittain officiating. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Billy was born February 21, 1922 to William Lee and Lula Mae Hancock Howze in Datura, Texas. He lived in this area his entire life and attended Coolidge High School. He retired, after 31 years of service as Maintenance Foreman and Fire Chief at the Mexia State School; he was, officially, their first Fire Chief. Billy’s love and dedication of being a fireman was big a part of his life. He, along with several others, started the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in organizing fundraisers and worked hard toward making the department the success it is today. He was one of the men who drove to Mississippi to pick up the big fire truck they now use. Billy married Louise East on August 14, 1943 at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Mexia. He was one of the original members of the Methodist Church, which now houses the pre-school. He loved not only his family, but his church, church family and his many friends. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially, with his daughter, Vickie. Billy had an outgoing personality and he never met a stranger. His love and devotion for God, his family and others was exemplified in the way he lived his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Louise Hines. Billy is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Louise of Lake Mexia; daughter, Vickie Oliver and husband, Richard of Houston; grandson, Brandon Allen Oliver and wife, Carrie; two great-grandson, Drew Allen and Ryan Cash Oliver; brother, Arlon Lee Howze of DeSoto; and several nieces and nephews and numerous friends. Pallbearers will be Kent Howze, Ron Capehart, Martin Breuer, Kyle Hancock, Steve Bullard and Gerald Gant. Smokey Henderson, Wayne Jackson and the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department will serve as an honorary pallbearers. The family would like to express their appreciation to their friends and relatives for their loving support as well as the staff of Providence Hospice, who were more wonderful than words can say.