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Billy Ray Barnes, age 78, of Sparta, NC; passed away Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta, NC.
Billy was born July 8th, 1947 in Ashe County to the late Eli and Lucy Caudill Barnes. He had a deep love for the outdoors and wildlife, and found joy in spending time fishing and hunting deer, turkey, and rabbit. Billy was a proud American who loved his country dearly and honorably served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Frankie K. Barnes of the home; two sons: Danny Barnes of SD, David Barnes of Calhoun, GA; three daughters: Rebecca Jones and husband Danny, Rachel Rector and husband Billy, Rena Barnes, all of Sparta; ten grandchildren: Sydney, Allie, Dustin, Carolyn, Madison, Evalina, Madalyn, Troy, Brynnan, Quinten; seven great grandchildren: Monse, Marz, Mayjor, Kayce, Ahmeer, Clementine, Ruben; an uncle, Jack Barnes and wife June of Mouth of Wilson, VA; several extended family members and friends also survive.
Funeral services to honor the life of Billy will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Service with Reverends Eric Miller and Danny Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Kennedy Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the US Army and the Bruce Wayne Osborne VFW post 7034 of Sparta. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Barnes family. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy Ray Barnes, please visit our floral store.