Billy Don Rife, 81, of Fruitvale, passed away, February 25, 2019, in Tyler. He was born October 29, 1937, in Young County to John William & Ruby Joplin Rife. He graduated from high school in Wright City, Oklahoma, in 1954. He owned/operated his construction company in Farmers Branch for 11 years and then moved to the Grand Saline/Fruitvale area in 1972. He restored old historic buildings and upon retirement from construction, worked for Midcontinental. Bill attended the Fruitvale Church of Christ when he and his wife Donna were able. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed, fishing, hunting, and raising horses and cows. He especially enjoyed sitting on his porch watching the kids play in the yard. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cindy Rife Howell in 1999; two brothers, Kenneth Rife and George Rife; and two sisters, Doris Rife and Phyllis McNeely.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Donna Lackey Rife of Fruitvale; two sons, Kendall Rife and James Rife, both of Fruitvale; three brothers, Clifton Rife of Windthorst, Kim Rife of Jermyn, and Carl Rife of Graham; five grandchildren, Dennie Thurman Howell III, Jacob Daniel Howell, John William Howell, Andy Lee Rife and Keri Ethel Rife; seven great-grandchildren, Keyonnie Barnes, Kayden Clemons, Kylie Bailey, Serenity Howell, Jacob Daniel Howell Jr., Teagan Howell and Timber Howell; and numerous other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Bartley Funeral Home in Grand Saline.