Billy Joe Strickland, a beloved retired American Airlines pilot instructor, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Mansfield, Texas. He was 79 years old.
Born in Camden, Arkansas, on December 6, 1946, to Hamp and Annie Jo Strickland, Billy developed a passion for aviation early in life. He earned his pilot’s license on September 10, 1967, from Airhaven Sales Inc., launching a lifelong career in the skies.
His dedication to flight culminated in a 26-year tenure with American Airlines, where he served as a simulator pilot instructor, training countless new pilots, before his well-earned retirement in 2022. He was also a longtime Dallas Cowboys fan.
On November 24, 1990, Billy married the love of his life, Jerita Rose. He was a devoted husband, and his family was his greatest joy. He is survived by his wife, Jerita; his daughter, Karen “Bo” (John) Myers; his son, Kevin Ray (Regina) Cooper; his step-daughter, Amanda (Kevin) Reidy; his brother, Don (Cynthia) Strickland; and his grandchildren, Chris, Kimberly, Sean, Jack, Jeff, Jace, Regan, Nick, Austin, Colton, and Brooklynn. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, William Michael “Mike” Strickland, and his siblings, Floyd Strickland and Shirley Murphy.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Billy’s life and share memories during visitation hours from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro, Texas. Funeral services will be held at the same location at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with burial to follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Billy’s name to The Noble Planet, an organization dedicated to providing medical treatment, food, and love to children with developmental challenges. Donations can be made at their official website. Billy Joe Strickland will be remembered as a skilled aviator, a dedicated family man, and a man whose quiet strength and gentle spirit touched all who knew him.