Billy Lawrence Allen

Billy Lawrence Allen of Mesquite, TX was born on October 6, 1935 in Marshall, TX and the Lord called him home on October 16, 2012 in Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Lawrence Allen and Carrie Lucille Lee Allen. He attended South Marshall Elementary School, Marshall Junior High School and Marshall High School.He left high school to go to work at Texas Pacific Railway in the shops as an electrician and joined the Army National Guard. After earning his GED, he joined the Marshall Police Force while continuing his service with the Army National Guard.He also worked with law enforcement agencies in several Texas cities. While serving in law enforcement in Liberty, TX he began his college education.He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a teaching certificate from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, TX on May 23, 1966, a Master of Science on January 23, 1968 and a Master of Arts on August 14, 1970 from East Texas State University in Commerce, TX, and a Doctor of Education on December 16, 1983 from East Texas State University in Commerce, TX.He returned to school and received a Master of Arts in Christian Education on May 11, 2007 from Dallas Baptist University. Bill taught school at Marshall Junior High School.He later became a counselor with the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, serving in several capacities.He returned to teaching after a cutback in TRC staff and moved up the ranks to become Superintendent of Schools in Poolville, TX.He retired from Public Education service in 1991. Bill worked simultaneously in Public Education and Law Enforcement, in addition to serving in the military. As soon as he was old enough he joined the Army National Guard in Marshall and served for a number of years.At one point he lived where there was no National Guard Unit and he promptly joined an Army Reserve Unit.He went on inactive status with the National Guard and Army Reserves in order to further his college education.After finishing his bachelors degree it was determined that he could return to the National Guard and Army Reserves as a commissioned officer.He was commissioned as a Captain and rapidly moved up the ranks to Lt. Col. in the Army Reserves.Subsequently he retired from the Army Reserves with the rank of Lt. Col. on October 6, 1997. After retiring from both education and military he pursued areas of Law Enforcement and additional post graduate work. Bill was also a Master Mason.He joined Marshall Lodge #22 in 1960 and Mesquite Lodge #928 upon moving to Mesquite. Later, he became a member of the Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star. Bill is survived by his children, Vickie Allen Benkendorfer (and husband Donny), Larry Allen (and wife Brenda), Debbie Allen Luttrell (and husband Greg) and Cindie Allen Dillard (and husband Mike); grandchildren, Brian (and wife Lisa), Kristen (and husband Kyle Fluker), Spencer and Heather Benkendorfer; Jordan, Courtnie and Hunter Allen; Courtney Moore; Alexandra, Ethan and Grant Luttrell; Josh (and wife Jenny), Shelby, Patrick and Zach Dillard; great-granddaughters, Ellie and Reagan Benkendorfer; brother, Charles Edwin Allen, and sister-in-law Bettie Muse Allen.Also survived by niece and nephews, Sheri Allen Ceglarek, Charles Edwin Allen, Jr. and Ronald Glyn Allen; cousins, Johnny Dee Murph, Mary Beth Bender and numerous others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Youth Missions Fund at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church.