Billy Ray Jordan

Billy Ray Jordan, 51, of Morganton went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Hospice House of Burke Hospice following a brief illness. He was a loving father, brother, son, uncle, and such a great friend to so many people. Born November 12, 1958 in Burke County, NC, Billy was a son of Carl Jordan of Morganton and the late Lucy Chapman Jordan.In addition to his father, Mr. Jordan is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Leisa Abee Jordan of the home; sons, Zachary and Jonathan Jordan of the home; a brother, Ronnie Jordan and his wife, Kathy of Conover and their children, Elizabeth and Christopher; an uncle, Roy Everett Chapman; a sister-in-law, Rhonda McNeely and her husband, Ambrose and their children, Sarah Livsey, Harlee Livsey, Blythe McNeely, and Brigham McNeely; a brother-in-law, John Cantrell and niece, Lindsey; his in-laws, Leroy and Velva Abee; and his faithful canine companion, Jake.In addition to his mother, Billy was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Jordan Cantrell.Mr. Jordan was a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was well known for his many years of playing slowpitch softball here in Burke County and the surrounding area, and was an avid golfer. He made many friends during his years of playing softball and loved to sit around and talk about his days of traveling with the teams. Billy was a generous man who would always help anyone in need. For twenty three years, he was employed by Classic Leather in Hickory where he made many more friends who were like family.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Watershed Road with the Reverends Jesse Carr and Eddy Bunton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church for thirty minutes before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 6494 Watershed Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.