James E. "Billy" Trevathan

Funeral services for James E. “Billy” Trevathan, 94, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kevin Poage officiating. Interment will follow in Old Union Cemetery.

Mr. Trevathan was born October 18, 1931 in Houston, Texas to the late Thelma (Bynum) and Alfred B. Trevathan, and died Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Waco.

Mr. Trevathan lived a life marked by service, adventure, and a generous heart. From a young age he stepped into roles of responsibility, becoming the youngest Fire Chief in Greens Bayou, Texas at just 18 years old. He later worked for Armco Steel until a workplace accident forced him to leave that position. Over the years he continued serving others in many ways, including time as a deputy with sheriff’s departments in Houston, Nacogdoches, and Fort Bend. Later in life he worked in the purchasing department for Caterpillar, where he retired from after 11 years. Even in retirement he remained active, taking contract work that carried him across the world to places such as Djibouti and Baghdad.

His work often reflected his deep desire to help people. Mr. Trevathan spent time working with funeral homes in preneed services and later served as a chaplain with Heart to Heart Hospice, where he walked alongside families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He treated people with compassion, dignity, and kindness, always believing others deserved to be cared for in their time of grief. At one point he even volunteered as a clown in hospitals, bringing laughter and encouragement to sick children.

Though fiercely independent and sometimes a little stubborn, Mr. Trevathan loved deeply and had a heart as big as his personality. He delighted in entertaining his grandchildren with jokes, playful tricks involving his missing fingers, or balancing spoons on his nose at restaurants just to make the little ones laugh. His playful spirit even showed in the way he dressed - often wearing funny or intentionally mismatched socks to lighten the mood. James was the kind of man who would pull over on the side of the highway to help a stranger, simply because he believed that someday he might need that same kindness himself. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Rashleger) Trevathan of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, W.M. Michael and Mary Trevathan of Waco; daughters and son-in-law, Patricia and Michael Stephenson of McKinney and Gaylene Stewart of Waco; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James E. Trevathan, Jr.; brother, A.B. Trevathan; and sisters, Ruth Trevathan Delvige and JoAnn Trevathan Herren.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.