Deputy Marshal William “Billy” Ray Hibbs of the town of Coupeville Marshal’s office died suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, while jogging in Oak Harbor. Billy Ray was an avid Tae Kwon Do enthusiast, a second degree black belt and instructor at Woodward’s Tae Kwon Do in Oak Harbor. He was running to prepare for a class when he died.

Billy Ray wore many hats in his life. Being a good father and husband was at the top of his list of priorities, but secondly he loved his work in law enforcement. Billy Ray was known as an officer who would solve problems before letting them get to the paperwork stage. He would rather work out issues with people than take them off to jail.

Billy Ray was born Aug. 6, 1967, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to William Ray Hibbs, Sr. and Constance (Neal) Hibbs. He joined the US Navy in 1987 and served on the USS John F. Kennedy during Desert Storm. While based in Norfolk, Va., he married his wife Jeanine in 1991. Billy Ray was assigned to the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Military Police unit for his final duty station with the Navy. He enjoyed the work and loved the island so much that he sought employment with the town of Coupeville as a deputy marshal. Billy Ray has served in that capacity for the past seven years, receiving several commendations for his work in the community.

Billy Ray was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 15 in Coupeville. He loved to camp and fish; he was an accomplished artist and dearly loved writing short stories and riding his motorcycle. Billy Ray touched many people in his 10 years on Whidbey, from the school kids to the people on the street to his many friends in law enforcement. He will truly be missed in both the Coupeville and Oak Harbor communities.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 14 years, Jeanine, son Justin and daughter Nicole at the family home in Coupeville and a son Tyler Ray Hibbs of Wichita, Kan. He is also survived by his parents William Ray and Connie Hibbs, his grandmother Barbara Neal and nephew Colten Hibbs of Wichita Falls, Texas, and grandfather O.B. Hibbs of Burkburnett, Texas. His sister, Angel Levell of Wichita Falls, Texas, also survivies.

A service celebrating the life of Billy Ray Hibbs will be held at Coupeville High School gym Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, at 3 p.m. There will be a public visitation prior to the service, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor. Following the visitation there will be a procession of family and law enforcement from Oak Harbor to the Coupeville High School.