Billy J. Rouse

Billy Junior Rouse, age 85, of Norman, passed away November 25, 2019, at Norman Regional Hospital with his family by his side.  He was born October 9, 1934, in Paoli, Oklahoma, to the late William and Helen Rouse.  Billy was raised by his mother, and his grandparents, Lev and Corner Dobbs.  He attended elementary and high school in Paoli where he enjoyed playing basketball.  Later, he attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and art.

Billy enjoyed drawing cartoons of his relatives and neighbors.  He was also an animal lover and rescued dogs in Norman.  Billy had a keen interest in chess, and he helped start a Chess Club at OU, helping many people learn the discipline of chess.  He worked at several discount retailers and frequently painted houses.  On May 29, 1970, Billy married Julia Deatherage in Norman.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Julia, of the home; cousins, Betty Carol Bucher and Verda Diane Johnson, both of Bristow, OK, Wendell Dobbs of Ft. Worth, TX, Beverly and Jim Singleton of Ft. Worth, TX, and Robbie Nichols of Goodyear, AZ; sister-in-law, Rebecca Deatherage of Norman; brother-in-law, Daniel Deatherage; and several other cousins and extended family members.  In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his half-brother, Leon Hull of Georgia; and half-sister, Bernice Sivley of Arkansas.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2019, at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Norman I.O.O. F. Cemetery.