Billy Joe Walden, age 81, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2016. He was born May 10, 1935 in Habersham, Tennessee to the late William Lee and Gladys Baird Walden. He served in the United States Air Force from May 1953 and was honorably discharged in May 1967. He was ordained to the Ministry in 1962 in San Antonio. He served as Pastor of Corpus Christi Primitive Baptist Church and then served as Pastor of the Stratton Primitive Baptist Church for 53 years. He also retired as Agent Manager with Farm Bureau Insurance in 1992 after 18 years with the company. Survivors are his wife of 52 years, Frances Morrow Walden of Stratton; son, Ronald Walden of Seguin; daughters, Karen Walden Barber (John) of Stratton and Lucy Walden Murphy (Pat) of Marble Falls; 10 grandchildren, Sarah Murphy, Campbell Murphy, Justin Murdock (Kirstyn), Kelly Murray (Lee), Travis Murdock, Rachel Murdock, Garrett Walden (Shauna), Joshua Walden, Courtney Walden and Emilee Walden; 8 great-grandchildren, Haylie Walden, Wyatt Walden, Jessa Smith, Avery Miller, Wiley and Clara Murray and Natalee and Audree Murdock; brother, Lee Walden (Olga) of Calera, Alabama; sister-in-law, Patsy Walden of London, Kentucky. Preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Millis Lee Walden; two sisters, Mildred Ann Walden and Devauda (Sue) Walden Savage; brother, Millis Walden. Visitation was 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 27 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home. Funeral Service was 2 p.m., Saturday, May 28 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home with Elders, Sonny Huckaby, Mike Montgomery, David Montgomery and Jeb Owen officiating. Burial to follow at Alexander Cemetery. Pallbearers were Pat Murphy, John Barber, Justin Murdock, Travis Murdock, Garrett Walden, Josh Walden and Lee Murray. Honorary Pallbearers were, Glen Blundell, Norm Miller, Daryl Fowler, Bill Brittain and Jimmy Parr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Stratton Primitive Baptist Church. Arrangements by Thiele Cooper Funeral Home, 361-293-5656.