Palestine High School Alumni Association

Dr. Billy M. Dickey passed away March 13, 2013. He was born in Palestine, Texas where he graduated as the valedictorian of Palestine High School in 1951. He received his BA in History in 1956 from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1960, he attended the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,Texas, where he received his M.D. Dr. Dickey completed his internship and residency in Austin at Breckenridge Hospital and then specialized in Urology at the UT Medical Branch Hospital in Galveston, Texas in 1965. Dr. Dickey received his medical board of Urology and American College of Surgeons in 1969. He was an urologist in El Paso, Texas until he retired in 1998. He received the MU Delta Honorary Service Society Award ? an award presented for “his inspiration to students and encouragement on the wards and his gracious effort to teach the doctrines of medicine.”He was Chairman (Chief) of the Department of Urology at R.E. Thomason General Hospital in El Paso from 1967 to 1971. He also served as the Urology Consultant, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss Texas. He also was a member of the El Paso County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, America Medical Association, Singleton Surgical Society and El Paso Surgical Society. As a young doctor, Billy served as a 1st Lt-Maj. (MC), in the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard at Austin, Texas. Dr. Dickey volunteered as the UTEP team doctor for 38 years alongside his life- long friend, Coach Don Haskins. On May 5, 2004, Dr. Dickey was inducted into the UTEP Athletic Hall of Fame for his tireless service and support to UTEP Athletics. He loved all sports, but was particularly devoted to the UTEP Miners and an avid Dallas Cowboy fan. Dr. Dickey was a kind and generous man who loved El Paso. But, he never forgot his roots that were anchored in the red dirt of the east Texas farm where he grew up. He was an accomplished pianist and used that talent to support himself through college and medical school. He was a devoted son to his mother and father, Melvin and Maurine Dickey, and reveled in the love of his family. He is survived by his brother Bobby Dickey of Tyler, Texas and children Gary Dickey, Cheryl Diane Bennett of El Paso, and Denise LeFevre of Houston. The children’s spouses include Gretchen Dickey, Jay Bennett, and Brad LeFevre. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Peter Bustillos, Michael Bustillos and wife Kathy and Teri O’Conner and husband Randy.He was grandfather to Jeramiah Dickey, Riley Dickey, Zach Dickey, Hallett Dickey, Shyann Scott, Lindsey Bennett, Houston Bennett, Cody Bennett, Burke LeFevre, Peyton LeFevre and step grandchildren Matthew Bustillos, Sarah Bustillos, Kelly Bustillos, Joseph Bustillos, and Noel Bustillos, he had four great-grandchildren. Dr. Dickey was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia Dickey, and his son Ronnie Dickey. Special thanks to CIMA Hospice, Margarita and Gabriel, and Dr. Dwayne Aboud. Sylvia Giner, thank you for all the years of love and kindness, in caring for our father and to Jessica Baca, and Valerie Amador for your care of our beloved father during these last few months. Funeral services for Dr. Dickey will be held at Martin Funeral Home at 3839 Montana Ave. at 9:30 am, Saturday, March 16, 2013. Interment will follow to Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jeramiah Dickey, Zach Dickey, Houston Bennett, Cody Bennett, Joseph Bustillos, Captain Scott and Dr. Rene Casavantes and Oscar Leeser. Honorary Pallbearer is Fred Reynolds. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the University of Texas-El Paso Athletics Scholarship Fund.