Billy Ray Linker

Obituary: Billy Ray Linker (US Army. Ret.), 80, of Sunset Beach, NC formerly of Kannapolis went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center following a period of declining health. Billy was born December 7, 1936 in Cabarrus County, NC a son of the late Robert Warren Hamilton and Gertie Mae Burris Linker Hamilton. He retired from the US Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) with 20 years of service. He had served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star. Billy then was employed with Petroleum Helicopters in Lafayette, La. as a helicopter pilot with twenty one years of service. He then drove for CFI trucking company for five years and continued to be employed with Eagle Support Agency/Orion as a Department of Defense Track Vehicle Inspector until 2013. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Mike Hubbard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30-2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Military rites will be accorded by the US Army. Interment will be at a later date at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C. Survivors left to cherish his memory include his wife of 62 years, Shelba Jean Childers Linker, two daughters; Janice Linker (Jerry D.) Gordon of Little River, S.C., and Billie Jo Linker (Bill) Simpson of Kannapolis, two sisters; Charlene "Dean" (Hank) Ashbaugh of Fernandina Beach, Fl., and Linda Dale (Reggie ) Drake of Tryon, NC., nine grandchildren; Justin Gordon (Evelyn), Brett Simpson (Olivia), Kelsie Simpson, Langlie Simpson, Josie Simpson, Bryce Simpson, Tanner Simpson, Hadlie Simpson, and Tucker Simpson. and four great grandchildren; Sidney, Jerry, Bentley, and William. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28207, or the American Diabetes Association, 1300 Baxter St #150, Charlotte, NC 28204, or to Wounded Warriors' Project, Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. Online condolences may be sent to www.whitlesfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 12:30 P.M.-2:00 P.M. Saturday September 9, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Saturday September 9, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: 2:00 P.M. Friday September 29, 2017 Salisbury National Cemetery