Billy Wayne Kincaid

Billy Wayne Kincaid was a Godly man who built his life on the firm foundation of his faith. With unwavering honesty, a gentle heart, and an infinite capacity to forgive, Billy was an easy-going man who welcomed others just as they were. Billy was devoted to his family as well as a man of the outdoors. He worked without complaint to provide for those he loved and cherished the simple things in life. Treasured by many, Billy will long be held in the hearts and memories of those who were blessed to share his life.

The 1920s were marked by tremendous confidence, prosperity, and previously unknown comforts. The economy boomed, wages rose for most Americans and prices fell, resulting in a higher standard of living for most. With the inventions of the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, self-winding watch, bulldozer, the instant camera, drive-in restaurants, Band-Aids, and the convertible, the post-war, era marked significant advancement and morale flourished throughout the land. This vibrant time grew even more brilliant in Millstone, Ky., as Edgar and Effie (Fletcher) Kincaid welcomed their son Billy Wayne Kincaid on February 15, 1927, into their family.

From his very earliest days, Billy possessed a powerful love of the outdoors. Many a pleasant hour was spent in the good company of his brothers casting out trout lines across the Kentucky creek near the familys farm; solidifying a passion for fishing that lasted Billys entire life.

As a teen, Billy had the good fortune of catching the eye of Geneva Barker. The two frequently passed by one another always taking note of the other. One time Billy even took Geneva for a ride on the mule he was riding.

Eventually, the fated couple met up at a local square dance where their connection proved undeniable. On November 14, 1944, the happy couple married.

In 1945 Billy was drafted into the United States Army. Bravely serving his country during World War II, Billy was stationed throughout Austria and Germany. While Billy was away, Geneva lived with her parents. It was in the comforts of her familys farm that Geneva gave birth to her and Billys first born, Billy George.

After safely arriving home from the war, Billy lived and worked at his in-laws farm. While working the farm he also took advantage of the GI Bill by taking several agriculture classes at the nearby college.

In 1950, Billys brother Millard helped him acquire a job with US Rubber Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Billy and Geneva moved with their four children to Allen County, and Billy began working for the company manufacturing seals for airplanes. Soon after, the couple welcomed their youngest child. Several years later, when the company closed, Billy worked for a local gravel pit. He also worked for Whitley Products, and held a second part-time job, with Precision Plastics after landing a job with Fibre Form. Billy proudly served in many positions including as a night shift plant supervisor for Fibre Form until he retired in 1981. For a short time after retiring, Billy also worked for Bond Flex Rubber.

Billy had many interests and enjoyed learning new skills. A naturally talented musician, Billy picked up his brothers newly purchased guitar, gave it a few plucks and was soon skillfully playing the instrument. Though he tried many other instruments over the years, his strongest talents were with the guitar. He loved to play and thoroughly enjoyed teaching his sons to play too. The family passion for music, coupled with their strong faith led to Billy, Geneva and their boys creating a gospel family group. Together they would travel to different churches and fellowship members home to play the music and celebrate their faith. While Gospel music was a steady in Billys life, he also enjoyed good Bluegrass.

When not playing or listening to music, Billy enjoyed spending time outdoors. An accomplished gardener and farmer, Billy lovingly tended to plants and animals alike. He grew a nice orchard, raised rabbits, chickens, and the occasional hog. With his Kentucky heritage, he even grew tobacco one summer in Indiana. It was a special thrill to take the tobacco to Madison, Indiana in the fall to sell at the tobacco warehouse but realized the payout was not worth the drive. On another adventure, one day Billy came home with a calf in the back seat of his car is the stuff of legend. The family welcomed Timmy with enthusiasm, and a favorite family story was firmly written for all of time.

Another great story is that of Squawker, the wild squirrel. With great care, Billy trained Squawker to eat out of his hand. Over time, Billy came to share his food, hand, arm, lap, and shoulder with the trusting squirrel. To all who witnessed the two together, there was no doubt they kindred spirits; they even shared an obvious love of the Chicago Cubs!

An eager learner his entire life, Billy was especially interested in technology. When the kids were young, he enthusiastically played their video games and had a serious interest in computers. At the age of 80 when he finally got his first computer, he eagerly took computer classes and was soon clicking away with mastery. It became quite common to find Billy burning his music and creating his own labels for his CDs. He also relished in downloading his treasured photos of family and other details of interest.

A devoted family man, Billy was a father who enjoyed the company of his children. Whether playing video games, casting a line, cheering on the Cubs, or supporting their endeavors, Billy cherished every moment. Especially fond memories were made traveling back and forth to Kentucky. When the kids grew old enough, Billy and Geneva would take them to Kentucky where the kids would spend the entire summer with their grandparents on the family farm. With his undauntable faith as the cornerstone of his life, Billy encouraged his children to take risks and to understand that mistakes are a natural part of living life fully. He firmly believed that we learn from our mistakes and that if mistakes arent being made, were not doing enough to learn and grow. Not only did Billy believe in the power of mistakes, he embodied the value of forgiveness and true honesty. In doing so, Billy was often a safe harbor for many during lifes most turbulent storms.

Billys devotion to family was most evident in his unflinching commitment to both his and Genevas parents. As they aged, Billy embraced the honor of caring for each of them. He did his best to afford them a clear sense of appreciation, comfort, and dignity.

After Geneva passed away in 1995, Billy leaned into the good care of his family who often included him in their doings. While traveling with them to a Gospel concert in North Carolina, Billy had the opportunity to get to know Genevas cousin, Shannon (Hobbs) Cox, better. The two began to talk and share time regularly and soon found themselves in love. On July 15, 1997, Billy and Shannon married and made their home in Columbia City.

In 2002 the couple chose to move down to Beattyville, Kentucky where Billy spent many years sharing his talents and heart in several volunteer roles. Billy also worked for a Christian radio station and WLJC television while in Beattyville, continuing to share his faith, music, and fellowship with others.

With failing health, Billy moved back to Columbia City to live with his daughter in March of 2017. It was in the comforts of his daughters home and care that Billy spent his final days.

The world is certainly less melodic without the sweet sounds of Billys life song and lovely presence. While it is difficult to consider life without Billys steadfast presence, may it afford deep comfort to know with each line cast, squirrel fed, picture posted, Gospel song enjoyed, and person we forgive, we are living the inspiring gifts of his legacy in our daily lives.

Billy Wayne Kincaid, 90, of Columbia City and Beattyville, Ky., passed away at 2:55 pm on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. A longtime member of Thorncreek Bethel Church of God, Billys survivors include his wife, Shannon Kincaid, of Beattyville, Ky.; children, Edwina Mosher, Evelyn (Don) Riley, David Lorn (Linda) Kincaid and Doyle Warren (Kristy) Kincaid, all of Columbia City; daughter-in-law, Rosemary Kincaid, of Columbia City; sister, Eunice Sheckler, of Columbia City; brother, Robert J. (Barb) Kincaid, of Asheboro, N.C.; step-daughters, JoAnn (Bruce) Combs, of Lexington, Ky. and Sue (Andrew) Hamilton, of Lexington, Ky.; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great- great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; son, Billy George Kincaid; son-in-law, Robert Mosher; step-son, Don Cox; great-grandson, Kelson Barker;sister, Gracie Ellen Mathias; brothers, Melvin L., Edgar Blain Jr., Millard and John F. Kincaid; half-sisters, Ethyle Clark and Hazel Richie.

Visitation is1-4 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2017, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be10 a.m. Mondayat the funeral home with Pastor Curt Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside Geneva. Memorials may be made in his memory to Heartland Hospice or WLJC Christian TV Station. Visit www.demoneygrimes.comto send family condolences online.