Billy Ray Baxter, 72, of Caruthersville, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems in Hayti.

Born July 21, 1933, at Deering, Mo., a son of the late William Isom and Willie Estelle Garrett Baxter, he attended Deering schools, served in the U.S. Navy. He was engaged in the trucking business and was of the Baptist faith.

On June 20, 1953, in Sanford, Fla. he married Jean Lesley who survives.

Other survivors include one daughter, Debbie Moody and husband, Mickey, of Caruthersville; one son, Michael Baxter and wife, Martha, of Sikeston, Mo.; three grandchildren, Laura Moody Treece of Caruthersville, Claudia Beeson and Charlie Beeson, both of Sikeston; one great-grandson, William Aiden "Will" Treece of Caruthersville.

He was preceded in death by four sister and three brothers.