William “Billy” J. Massa, 64, of Conway, was called home by The Lord on Friday September 16, 2011. He was born March 1, 1947 in Little Rock, AR to the late Henry A. and Sophie (Urboni) Massa. Billy was also preceded in death by his brother, Henry “Hink” Massa.
He was a devout Catholic and attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Billy was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years and served during the Vietnam era. He loved hunting and fishing with his son, Bobby. Billy was not only a great father, but a best friend to both of his children. Lori, his daughter always felt she could talk to her father about anything, and he was her rock. He was liked by many and loved by all who ever knew him. Billy was a great man and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by one son, Robert Massa of Greenbrier, a daughter, Lori Kalahar and husband Colin of California, brother, Harvey Massa and wife Jan of Morrilton, AR and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held 9:30 a.m. Thursday September 22, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway, with Father James Melnick, celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Brown, Larry Brown, Jack Leslie, Ronnie Lehman, Bob Sweeten, and Rick King. Rosary will be 6:00 p.m. Wednesday with visitation following at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway (501-327-7727).
I knew Billy from the first grade on. I believe that he was one of the most wonderful people whom I ever met. Billy was tough, a great boxer. I don't know how many of you know how he left Catholic High, but it was a story of injustice. He told me when we were both about 30. He and I had a similar experience with a particular coach. Billy told me this story without rancor, just with his humble Massa smile. Being a weak kid. I was in awe that I had Billy for a friend. I knew many other hard-put angels at Catholic high. Billy was one of two classmates who lost his father. Billy's dad was killed by a drunk driver on what was then Hays Street when Billy was in the first grade. I gor to play football with Billy when we were freshmen. I believe he played fullback. Again, he was tough, a great man. We played sandlot football in North Little Rock, He was very fast. May God bless my friend until we meet again.
l pray that he will watch over us. In Jesus and Mary, John Lammers (501-327-2633)
My late husband, Bruce Wilson, was friends with Billy when they were teenagers. He said Billy would come in to Perciful's drive in with them. The group would get a foot long hot dog on Fridays. Billy would always eat his with his back to the door because he was afraid Fr. Tribou would come in and see him and then he would go straight to hell. Saw Billy at the 40th reunion. Always thought he was a really nice guy.
Paul Francis
William "Billy" J. Massa
William "Billy" J. Massa
March 1, 1947 - September 16, 2011
William “Billy” J. Massa, 64, of Conway, was called home by The Lord on Friday September 16, 2011. He was born March 1, 1947 in Little Rock, AR to the late Henry A. and Sophie (Urboni) Massa. Billy was also preceded in death by his brother, Henry “Hink” Massa.
He was a devout Catholic and attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Billy was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard for 24 years and served during the Vietnam era. He loved hunting and fishing with his son, Bobby. Billy was not only a great father, but a best friend to both of his children. Lori, his daughter always felt she could talk to her father about anything, and he was her rock. He was liked by many and loved by all who ever knew him. Billy was a great man and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by one son, Robert Massa of Greenbrier, a daughter, Lori Kalahar and husband Colin of California, brother, Harvey Massa and wife Jan of Morrilton, AR and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held 9:30 a.m. Thursday September 22, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway, with Father James Melnick, celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Brown, Larry Brown, Jack Leslie, Ronnie Lehman, Bob Sweeten, and Rick King. Rosary will be 6:00 p.m. Wednesday with visitation following at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway (501-327-7727).
John Lammers
August 27. 2015
I knew Billy from the first grade on. I believe that he was one of the most wonderful people whom I ever met. Billy was tough, a great boxer. I don't know how many of you know how he left Catholic High, but it was a story of injustice. He told me when we were both about 30. He and I had a similar experience with a particular coach. Billy told me this story without rancor, just with his humble Massa smile. Being a weak kid. I was in awe that I had Billy for a friend. I knew many other hard-put angels at Catholic high. Billy was one of two classmates who lost his father. Billy's dad was killed by a drunk driver on what was then Hays Street when Billy was in the first grade. I gor to play football with Billy when we were freshmen. I believe he played fullback. Again, he was tough, a great man. We played sandlot football in North Little Rock, He was very fast. May God bless my friend until we meet again.
l pray that he will watch over us. In Jesus and Mary, John Lammers (501-327-2633)
Myra Franz (Wilson)
My late husband, Bruce Wilson, was friends with Billy when they were teenagers. He said Billy would come in to Perciful's drive in with them. The group would get a foot long hot dog on Fridays. Billy would always eat his with his back to the door because he was afraid Fr. Tribou would come in and see him and then he would go straight to hell. Saw Billy at the 40th reunion. Always thought he was a really nice guy.