After graduation Billy joined the U.S. Navy, serving with distinction for six years aboard the U.S.S. Wasp, an aircraft carrier, as a radarman. Billy was proud of his time in the service and was known for sharing stories of his time at sea. After being honorably discharged, he went to work on the family farm in Levita, Texas as a farm hand and rancher. After several years of hard work on the farm, Billy and his uncle, R. B. Beechly, left Texas to seek their fortunes in California.
In California, Billy found work with Harvey Aluminum as a machinist operator. It was around this time, with a new job and a head full of dreams that he met his future wife, Nandra. Billy and Nandra shared a child, their daughter, Katherine Joyce (Kathy). After nearly a decade in California, Billy moved back to Texas to accept a job with Cotton Belt Railroad in Waco, which led to another opportunity with the Katy Railroad. After an economic downturn forced layoffs in the railroad field, Billy moved to Houston where he endeavored in several careers and met his next wife, Carolyn, the daughter of one of his supervisors. After five years of marriage, Billy and Carolyn separated and Billy moved to Austin, Texas where he put his years of experience to use as a warehouse supervisor for J & T Tool.
While at J & T Tool, Billy suffered a workplace accident that injured his knee, an injury that would follow him through the rest of his life. Despite the pain, Billy went to work for Red McCombs Chevrolet as the service manager of one of the largest Chevy dealers in Texas. After many years in Austin, Billy returned to the Waco area to care for his elderly parents until their deaths. Billy lived the rest of his days at the family property enjoying watching Baylor girls softball, his beloved Dallas Cowboys and agitating his nieces and nephews. Billy was known for being the life of the party, rarely having a serious thought, but always having a cold one to share with his welcomed guest.
Billy is preceded in death by parents, Billy and Wilda Beechly, and his first wife, Nandra.
Billy is survived by his daughter, Kathy Wilson & husband Gene, grandchildren, Tyler & Sara Rodriguez, Johnathon & Kara Rodriguez, Brittney & Reid Driggers, as well as Bailey & her fiancé, Robert Joyner. Great grandchildren, Owen Andrew, Rieley and Lincoln. Siblings, Paul Beechly, Russell Beechly, Martha Browning and Judy Pinkston. Billy is also survived by 4 nephews, 5 nieces, as well as their children and spouses.