Billy Bright

The world lost a great family man, and the Good Lord gained a wonderful handy man who could fix anything on August 16, 2023. Billy Bright passed away at the age of, 88, in Muncie.

Billy was born in Summitville, Indiana on September 17, 1934, to Orville Bright and Opal M. (Barrett) Bright. Billy spent most of his adult life in New Castle, Indiana. He married Shirley Vestal on September 18, 1955, and they enjoyed nearly 68 years together. In 2017 they moved to Muncie, Indiana to be closer to enjoy grandchildren and especially great-grandchildren.

He was a master electrician and retired from Ferodo America. He was manager of Universal Electric and its predecessors for many years in New Castle. He designed and built control panels in his own business S.B. Electric, Inc. His control panels have been used in installations throughout the world. He also worked as an independent electrician for many years on the side, specializing in grain elevators.

Billy was a veteran of the United States Army and will be buried with military honors.

He was an ingenious creator of solutions and tools. Billy was capable of taking on any project and conquering it. If a method did not exist to fix the problem, he would design and fabricate a tool to accomplish the job. He could handle any size project. He designed and built a second story addition to his home on 23rd Street in New Castle where it stands as a widely recognized structure due to its unique hipped roof. He could do it all. If a family member or friend had a project, Billy was eager to jump in and you knew it would be completed. His daughter Penney enjoyed teasing that he would “work for food” as Billy loved to help and loved a good home cooked meal.

Billy also took great pride in his yards. In his later 70's when he wasn't pleased with his lawn, he tore the whole thing up and re-sodded the yard in two days. In the week before he was felled by his massive heart attack at almost 89 years old, Billy was seen digging a hole and replacing irrigation equipment.

He took great pleasure in attending family events, sitting back and watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a smile on his face. Shirley and Bill enjoyed their travels and adventures with his daughter Penney and son-in-law Bruce. Billy was especially in awe of the Grand Canyon. He remarked that anyone who didn't believe in the Good Lord after seeing that must have something wrong with them. He was a big fan of college and professional basketball and in later years developed quite the political acumen. Like all challenges, he enjoyed tackling a difficult jigsaw puzzle in the winter when he could not be in his yard or attending kids' sporting events.

Billy is survived by Shirley, his wife of almost 68 years who he referred to in his dying days as the “Highest Queen”. He leaves to admire and miss him his daughter, Penney McLaren (husband Bruce) of Muncie, Indiana. He is also survived by his son Billy D. Bright (Delia) of Jacksonville, Florida. He also leaves behind Granddaughter Stephanie McCammon (Anthony “Andy”), Grandsons Matthew D. Roberts of Muncie, Indiana and David Bright. He was especially proud of his great-grandchildren Stella M. Grubbs and Ian A. Grubbs spending many hours watching them and attending their events. He was also very fond of and enjoyed his time with his many bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They brought each other great pleasure over the years.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Orville and Opal. He was also proceeded by all of his siblings: Juanita L. Hammond, Gerald Bright, Virginia Cox and Wanda Garmon. He was also predeceased by his father and mother-in law whom he was very close with, Kirby Vestal and Ina Vestal.

The family would also like to express their appreciation for the excellent care he received from the medical staff at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Progressive Care Unit. We hesitate to name the outstanding performers for fear of missing someone, but you know who you are. However, we would like to single out Cardiologist Bruce Graham who has made Billy the man with nine lives for the last two plus decades. Dr. Graham literally kept him digging for the last 23 years.

Services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday August 19, 2023, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle, with Pastor Jerry Ingalls officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of services. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery West Lawn addition.

Memorial contribution can be made in Billy’s honor to the American Heart Association 113 N Council St, Muncie, IN 47305.

You may share a memory or express a condolence of Billy at www.hinsey-brown.com .