Billy J. Fry, 77, of McAlester, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at his home of natural causes.

Billy was born January 28, 1946, in Latimer County, Oklahoma to Leo and Jessie (Hendricks) Fry.  He served in the United States Army and saw combat in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic as part of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. He often said he had seen "two wars and three county fairs," for which he was decorated with, among others, the Bronze Star, the Parachute Badge, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He married Sandra (Simmons) on December 18, 1976, in Oklahoma City, OK. He continued to serve his community in law enforcement and retired as a Sergeant in the Harris County, TX Sheriff's Office. He was a member of the Edgewood United Methodist Church in Hartshorne, OK. He will be remembered for his deep love for his family and devotion to his wife. He had a quick wit, a strong sense of integrity, and talent for forming deep and lasting friendships with people from all walks of life.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Fry of McAlester, OK; his children, Zachary and Jessica Fry of Plano, TX, Ashley Fry and Evan Yeats of Washington, DC; grandchildren, Rainer Yeats, Iola Yeats and Till Yeats all of Washington, DC; brother, Dick Fry of Hartshorne, OK; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Jim Rose of Hartshorne, OK; and sisters-in-law, Ginny, Gail and Nancy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Jessie, and six brothers, Jack, Lee Roy, Bob, Buddy, Bennie and James David Fry.

The graveside service will be private, with a public celebration of life to be scheduled later. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Hartshorne, Oklahoma.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, mail to VA Regional Office, 125 S. Main St., Ste. 119, Muskogee, OK 74401.