Billy Van “Rip” Templeton, 90 years young of Charleston Texas (Sharptown), passed away Sunday April 6, 2025 after an eight year battle with prostate cancer.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Tuesday April 15, 2025, at Delta Funeral Home Chapel, Reverend Lyn Dennis will officiate. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm one hour prior to the service at 2 p.m.

Pallbears will be: Jason Templeton, Ross Templeton, Lucien Templeton, Tommy Anderson, Jason Ingram, Clay Ingram

Rip was born in Cooper, Texas February 18, 1935, to Amos Wayne and Oleta (Nabors) Templeton. They preceded him in death as did his wife of 55 years Mary Ann Graves Templeton.

Rip graduated from CHS in 1952, he was in the CHS high school band as well as playing on two Cooper High School District Championship football teams. He was in the Boy Scouts Troop 41 in Cooper as well as a member the First Methodist Church in Cooper,. He went on to attend East Texas State in Commerce where he earned a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. He was a member of the “The Tejas Club” fraternity while at ETSU.  Upon graduation he spent 2 years in the Navy working as a Lab Chemist in Washington DC.

On July 7, 1962 he married the love of his life Mary Ann Graves of Paris, Texas. During the ensuing 38 years Rip worked for Texas Instruments and raised a family in Richardson Texas. Upon his retirement at the turn of the century he moved back down to the “East End” and enjoyed the remaining 25 years of his life spending time with family and friends, he was even elected county commissioner twice. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, a very caring person and one of the most engaging individuals you would have ever met and a true fan of Donald Trump.

Survivors include his (sister): Tommie Regan, (son) Philip Templeton and wife Rebecca of Azle, Texas, (son) Ross Templeton and wife Cherie of McKinney, Texas, grandchildren: Marlia Templeton, Jason Templeton, Lucien Templeton, Mardi Templeton, Skylar Parkerson, Brynne Parkerson , Great Grandchild: Jane Templeton (one year old)

Online condolences may be made at www.deltafuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Delta Funeral Home