Marples, Billy C. (1950 – 2013)
MARPLES, DAMERON, JOHNSON, ROCCIO, METZGAR, SEITZ, VELASCO, ANTHOFER, DAMERON
Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/24/2013 at 19:04:04
Billy Carl Marples was born to Murrell and Mildred (Dameron) Marples on November 12, 1950 in Pikeville, Kentucky. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marines and served two tours in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from the service, he trained as a tree care specialist and worked as an arborist. In 1990, Billy joined the Army National Guard and served as a warrant officer. In 1996, Billy moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for Werner Enterprises as a truck driver and a driver trainer. This is where he met his wife, Kim Johnson. They were married on June 18, 1999 and settled in Elk Horn, Iowa.
Billy went to work for Pro Lawn Tree Service as a tree care manager when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002. After his diagnosis and surgery to remove the tumor, he went back to college and earned an art degree from Bellevue University. He purchased a building in Kimballton, Iowa, renovated it and opened New Genesis Art Studio.
He had a very successful career as an artist over the next seven years. He donated an art piece depicting the D-Day allied force assault on Normandy Beach. This was first displayed at the Omaha VA and was later shipped to the Utah Beach Museum in Normandy, France. Billy was able to travel to France to attend the dedication in Normandy on the 62nd anniversary of D-Day.
He was commissioned by the City of Kimballton to cast a bronze mermaid that is housed on Main Street in Kimballton. He was commissioned to cast two additional bronze pieces which are on display at the little league field in Kimballton and the city park in Exira, Iowa.
Billy also painted and had a military series that was on display in Chicago at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Art Museum four years ago. Several friends and family members traveled with Billy for the dedication.
Billy was a wonderful loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. After a long battle with a brain tumor, he went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 31, 2013, having attained the age of sixty-two years, two months, and nineteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bobby.
He is survived by his wife Kim Marples of Elk Horn, Iowa; children: Mark Roccio of Millville, New Jersey, Rebekah and her husband Christopher Metzgar of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Julie and her husband Donald Seitz, Jr. of Goshen, New Jersey, Daniel Velasco of Ames, Iowa, and Angela Velasco and Owen Anthofer of Elk Horn, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Collin Metzgar, Hannah Seitz, Maddison Metzgar, Jayne Seitz, Savannah Metzgar, Donald Seitz, and Charleigh Anthofer; brothers Greg Marples and Tim Marples of California; sisters: Nancy Dameron of Colorado, Pam Marples of Florida, and Tammy Marples of California; other family members and many friends.
Rev. Paul Reynolds officiated the 11:00 AM Memorial Service on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. Music was provided by Marlene Hoover, Deb Reid, and song leader Shon Andersen. Speakers were Mark Roccio, Ron DeBord, Scott Smith, and Troy Muller. Military Rites were provided by Harry Albertson AMVETS Post No. 51 of Kimballton and the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150 at the Oakfield Cemetery in rural Elk Horn, Iowa.
Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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