William (Billy) Floyd Sherrell was born in Roswell, NM on August 2,1940 to Floyd Earnest Sherrell and Mable Walker Sherrell. He grew up in Artesia, NM on his family farm where they had a rock crushing business. Billy learned how to put in a full day’s work at a very young age. Artesia is where he met his lifelong friends Rusty Clack, and twins Dean and Gene Smith.
He met Norma Lea Gaston and they married December 29,1957. They made their home in Carlsbad, NM where he started working Construction, Potash mines and then retired from over 35 years at the WIPP site. They raised three children, Jowanna (Doug) Chandler, Jimmy (Barbara) Sherrell and Jeanna Scharinger. They had 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was thrilled to get to know and build a warm relationship with his firstborn child, his daughter, Starlyn Fikkert and her two daughters. After Norma’s passing away in 2009, he married Vickie Pierce on April 19, 2013 and moved back to Artesia where his loving family expanded to include two daughters, Tammy (John) Neel and Debbie (Curly) Hawkins, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
He loved to dance, hunt and shoot his guns and tried to never miss a deer season getting to spend more time with friends and family. Spending time with his friends and family was what made him the happiest.
Billy passed away April 11, 2022 after many long, loving visits from family. He is survived by his brothers, Jerry (Angel) Sherrell, Gary (Leila) Sherrell and his sister Kathy Sherrell as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Billy was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Mable as well as his grandson, Josiah Sherrell.
His life will be celebrated Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 2 p.m. at West Funeral Home, Carlsbad, NM, followed by burial at Carlsbad cemetery (old section). Visitation will be 1-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at West Funeral Home.
Pallbearers: Scott Scharinger, Zackary Scharinger, Tylor Scharinger, Derrik Hubbard, Shane Potter, Mito Dominguez, Joaquin Dominguez and Librado Soto.
