Billy Lee Haynes, lovingly known as "Papa", passed peacefully at home on Sunday evening, October 5,
2025 at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his family who cherished him deeply and will carry his
memory forever.
Born on June 12, 1935 in Greenfield, Missouri. At the age of 6, the family moved to Kansas City, KS
which would later give Bill the opportunities he otherwise would not have had in his small, country town.
He attended only 1 year of college at Kansas State University before enlisting in the US Navy.
Those who knew Bill knew how much he enjoyed his 22+ year career in the Navy, which sent him around
the world, taking his family to live in several different states and countries - Saudi Arabia, Washington
D.C. and Hawaii - just to name a few. He proudly served on the DE-1062 USS WHIPPLE. Retirement
from the Navy in 1975 would not be the end of his brotherhood with his fellow sailors. While preceded in
death by many of them, Bill and his Navy buddies would continue to communicate regularly until the end.
After his naval retirement, Bill settled his family in Karen's hometown of Mukwonago, WI where they built
a home on her father's land. He began as a bartender at Alpine Valley Ski Resort and Lodge in East
Troy, WI. He soon became concessions manager and had great involvement in the planning of Alpine's
next phase - outdoor concert venue. Bill's dream of a life time came true when he got to meet and serve
is hero - Frank Sinatra.
In 1983, Bill saw the need for a career change and ultimately moved his family for the last time to North
Richland Hills, TX. While being a complete change from anything he'd done before, Bill was a natural at
sales. He began a partnership, (BCB, Inc. then later changed name to Pinnacle Sales) which was a
brokerage firm catering to grocery and convenience stores mainly for seasonal and novelty items such as
Pez candy, sour straws, and Haribo gummies. In the early 90's Pinnacle Sales added trading cards to
their repertoire namely, Upper Deck. With this new addition to the candy biz, Bill met and dined with
many athletes - Nolan Ryan, the '92 Dallas Cowboys, and Wayne Gretzky and countless others.
Although Bill had been a grandfather for several years, it wasn't until he officially retired when "Papa"
became his most important role yet. "Papa" took on the next several years as daycare provider for his 2
granddaughters. "Papa" would stroll the girls through the neighborhood daily along with the other stay at
home moms. He would revel in their dancing to big band music, primarily Frank Sinatra.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Karen (nee Craig) of Mukwonago, WI, his son, Bill Jr. of Las
Vegas, NV, daughter, Robin and husband John Metzger of Lake Charles, IL, daughter, Connie and
husband, Gordon Jeffery of N Richland Hills, TX, daughter, Bobbi and husband, Bryan Bauerle of N
Richland Hills, TX, granddaughter Nicole and husband Eric Kedzie of Steward, IL, grandson Zach
Metzger and wife Alicia, of Maple Park, IL, grandson, Brandon Hornbeck and wife Toni of Hurst, TX,
grandson, Ryan Jeffery of N Richland Hills, granddaughter Jadyn Jeffery of NRH, granddaughter, Kendall
Bauerle of NRH, grandsons, Connor and Carson Bauerle, also of NRH, great-granddaughters Harley and
Hadley Hornbeck of Hurst, TX, great-grandsons Hayes and Holt Hornbeck of Hurst, TX, sister Charlene
Burvee, of Hastings, MI, along with numerous nieces and nephews and their family members all of
Mukwonago, WI.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Francis (nee Shaw) Haynes of Shawnee
Mission, Kansas, brother, Charles Robert 'Bobby' Haynes of Kansas City, Kansas, and sister, Pamela
Nutting of Las Vegas.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 10:30 am at Forest Ridge Funeral
Home, 8525 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76182. Bill will be laid to rest following the service
at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.
Friends and loved ones are invited to gather and honor the incredible life of a man who meant so much
to so many. Bill's 'home away from home', his favorite place to be other than home with family - Ernie's
Seafood Restaurant 8206 Bedford Euless Rd, North Richland Hills, TX 76180.