BILLY RAY GASTON

Mr. Billy Ray Gaston, a native and life long resident of San Diego passed suddenly on August 20, 2015. He was employed by Pacific Ship Repair & Fabrication for over 35 years. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening Agust 27th from 5pm-8pm at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary. Services will be held on Friday, August 28th at 11:00 AM from Bethel Baptist Church, 1962 N. Euclid Ave. with entombment to follow at Greenwood Mausoleum.

BILLY RAY GASTON was born On December 5, 1948 in San Diego, California to proud parents, Will and Robbie Gaston. His beloved mother, whom he dearly loved, passed away on August 29, 2000. Billy received his formal education through the San Diego Unified School District, where he attended Stockton and Chollas Elementary, Gompers Jr. High and graduated from Morse High School with the “Class of 1967”.  Billy was an entrepreneur at an early age. His first primary business was selling newspapers for Union Tribune while at Chollas Elementary. He would pay his employees a generous twenty-five cents a day. Billy was always hard working. 

On May 12, 1980, Billy began, what would become a long, lasting career with Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication, Inc., where he was hired as an Electrician. He was promoted several times during his thirty-five years of service with Pacship, learning numerous facets of the department, and was eventually promoted to Firewatch Department Head. He was known throughout the company for his dedication, loyalty, dependability and being hard working. He was widely known for reaching out to help those who needed a second chance, and sometimes a third and fourth chance.  While at Pacship, Billy made numerous long, lasting friendships throughout the company and was respected and favored by his staff, coworkers, management staff, department head and owner. 

On July 15, 2001, Billy accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined the Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. John W. Ringgold. He was baptized a week later on July 22, 2001. Billy often expressed how he wished his beloved mother could have witnessed this special day in his life. Billy loved serving on God’s program. He was a member of several ministries; Trustee Ministry, Twelve Fruits, Blessed Circle of the Mission, Blessed Circle Praise Team, Better Chance Employment Opportunity, Crusaders and Cellies. He was also “Mr. Bethel” of 2006 and participated and modeled in the Altar Guild Fashion Show. He loved his pastor, his church and church family; but above all, he truly loved the Lord.

On Labor Day, September 3, 2007, Billy met the love of his life, the lovely Helen Taylor at an “O.G.” picnic. It was love at first sight. Two months later, on November 21, 2007, they were united in Holy Matrimony. Helen, who affectionately called him “Babe”, immediately joined her husband at Bethel Baptist Church.

Billy was a very caring and devoted, husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and the best friend one could ever have. He had a very special and loving bond with his daughter, Felicia. She truly loved her dad and he loved her. He always had a big heart when it came to children. During the early years, after work, Billy would stop at the store and buy an enormous amount of candy. The children from at least two streets over would be waiting for him to come home.  He would get out of his car with bags and bags of candy singing “Who can take a sunrise,  sprinkle it with dew, cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two, The candy man can,”  as he passed the candy out, spreading love throughout the  community.  Yes, he was known as the “Candy Man”. He will be greatly missed.

On Thursday, August 20, 2015, Billy Ray Gaston was called from earthly labor to eternal rest. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and  loving wife, Helen Gaston; his children, Felicia of the United States Army, Selena, Syrina, Kevin and Maurice; his father, Will H. Gaston; his sisters, Lois Whitley, Betty Lee and Eula Fay Coley;  stepchildren, LaVonya “Bonnie” Williams, (Merle), Audrenna Batie, Raenell Smith (Errol) and Rodney “Butch” Taylor; brother-in-law, Johnnie Gibson; sisters-in-law, Bettie Johnson and Dorothy Lowery (Joe); uncles, Lon L. Gaston (Liz) and Oliver Nolan; aunts, Algia “Lady” Gaston, Reta Fay Gaston, Katie Gaston, Classie Mae Smith and Jean Elliott (Hayward); several grandchildren, including Lavelle Taylor whom he helped raise; his favorite cousin, Brenda Johnson; his spiritual son, Rayshawn Broadnax and his wife Tosha; childhood friends, Gregory Foster, Jimmy Scott, Dennis Hamilton and so many more—far too many to name; his church family; his Pacship friends, and a host of other relatives and many, many friends who will mourn his passing, yet celebrate his life.