Billy "Brad" Lankford

BILLY “BRAD” LANKFORD, 76, of Bellville, Texas, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on June 18, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born November 17, 1947, in Hemphill, Texas, the son of Charles and Marcelena “Lena” (Parrie) Lankford.  He was an altar boy in the Catholic church and held his Catholic faith the entirety of his life.  Brad grew up in Hemphill, Texas, graduating from Hemphill High School in 1966.  He furthered his education at Stephen F. Austin University, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1972.  Brad was delighted to learn of his Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb ancestry.  He was a lumber salesman to commercial home builders in the Houston area for 45 years and was so proud of his many consecutive years as #1 salesman.  Brad always treated his customers with honesty, fairness and respect.  Many of his customers became lifelong friends.  He was also a member of Hoo Hoo the Fraternal Order of the Forest Products Industry.

Brad was united in marriage to Donna Kokemor on January 8, 1989, at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg, Texas.  They made their home in Bellville where they began with nothing and built everything that they have today together through hard work and determination.  He carried much from his parents in his life, including his generosity and helping others anyway he could.  More than anything, Brad loved his family and friends and would make the drive to East Texas to visit as often as he could.  Family always came first!  He loved the yearly family vacations and most recently our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  He also loved the Astros (since the days they were the Colt 45’s) and taking family or friends to games with his 20+ year season tickets.  He had a passion for old cars, including going to car shows to not only show them off but to talk to all the people.  Brad never met a stranger!  He took up playing guitar and he never missed an opportunity to play with friends or a band or sing in church.

Brad is survived by his wife of 35 years: Donna Lankford of Bellville;  children: Jeffrey “Brad” Lankford and his wife, Emily, of Bixby, Oklahoma, Ashley Risner O.D. and her husband, Quentin, of College Station, Travis Lankford and his wife, Kim, of Killeen, and Elizabeth Holley and her husband, Tanner, of Katy;  grandchildren: Haley Lankford, Braden Lankford, Addi Lankford, Ella Lankford, Karly Risner, Caleb Risner, Elizabeth Repine, Zachary Repine, Aiden Lankford, Jaxson Lankford, and Bradlee Cecilia Holley;  great-grandchildren: Kinsley Wheeler and Evelyn Webster;  brother: Eugene Procella;  and numerous other family and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Lena Lankford; brothers: Henry Procella, Rayford Procella, Glendale Procella, Ernest Procella, Msgr. Paul Procella, Guy Lankford, and Donnie Lankford; and sister: Aleta Chambers.


Pallbearers are Steve Shivers, Wayne McLane, Raymond Mills, Dean Kelly, Conrad Stevenson, Michael Campbell, Jimmy Talbott, and Charlie Johnson.


Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to:

St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg
2739 Phillipsburg Church Road
Brenham, Texas 77833