Harlingen/ Port Isabel, Texas- Billy Jay Barker, 57, passed away at his home on April 14, 2012 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Billy was born on June 5, 1954 in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended school in Kansas City, Victoria, Texas, and Port Isabel, Texas. In the early 1980's, he was employed by Marathon at the Port of Brownsville. In the mid 1980's through the 1990's, he worked on various oil rigs throughout Texas. In the later years, Billy became a self-employed painter on South Padre Island. His hobbies included: surfing in Mexico, Hawaii, California, and South Padre Island; bike riding; bow and arrow target practice; gardening; and barbequing with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Norberto and Louisa Perez; and paternal grandparents, Louis Winter and Emma Mildred Barker. He is survived by his loving parents: Jay Roger and Emma Perez-Barker of Port Isabel/ Harlingen, Texas; two brothers, Bobby Ray Barker of Port Isabel and James "Jimmy" Edward Barker of Port Isabel/Harlingen, Texas; one sister, Karen Mae (Thomas) Loa of Weatherford, Texas; 5 nephews: Bobby Ray Barker II, Joshua William Barker, James Edward Barker II, Che Loa, and Thomas Jonathon Loa; and five nieces: Melanie Barker, Stephie Barker, Ashley Nicole Barker, Michelle Leanne Barker, and Abigail Loa. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., with Mass of Resurrection to begin at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria St. in Port Isabel. Cremation will follow in accordance to his wishes. Serving as pallbearers are: James Edward Barker Sr., Bobby Barker Sr., James Edward Barker II, Bobby Ray Barker II, Joshua William Barker, Anthony Galvan, Jose Angel "Pepe" Ramirez Jr, and Raul Lopez. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Lawrence Galvan, Timothy Galvan, and Arturo Galvan Jr. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made in memory of Billy Jay Barker to: Jay and Emma Barker, 1513 E. Crockett Ave., Harlingen, Texas 78550. Words of Comfort may be sent to the family of Billy Jay Barker at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.