Billy Gene McAlister, 84, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Sunday afternoon, August 21, 2022, in Carthage. He was born on August 2, 1938, in Denison, Texas to the late Richard Reuben and Jessie Marie Woods McAlister. He graduated from Southside High School in Memphis, Tennessee with the class of 1956. During his early years, he was a Golden Gloves boxer. Mr. McAlister served in the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserve until his honorable discharge. He married Gail Etley on March 16, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Mr. McAlister was a licensed plumber, worked in maintenance at Panola General Hospital and later in the auto body restoration business. He earned his peace officers license and served for many years as a reserve deputy for the Panola County Sheriff's Office where he worked his way up to Jail Administrator. Mr. McAlister enjoyed coaching youth baseball when his boys where young. He also loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, fast cars, and watching NASCAR. Mr. McAlister was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles, James, and Donald McAlister.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gail McAlister; sons, Kevin McAlister and wife Karen and Darin McAlister and wife Darla; grandchildren, Derek McAlister and wife Dana, Clint McAlister and wife Talar, Kendall McCuistion and husband Andrew, and Kaden McAlister; and great-grandchildren, Demi, Daxton, Dane, Mallory, and Lawson McAlister. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends also survive.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.