Billy Ray Mercer, 79, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:25 a.m. on Monday, July 25th, 2016 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on November 11 ^th , 1936 in Kaufman County, Texas to Bailey and Reba (Ashley) Mercer.  He married Dixie May (Endsley) Mercer on Feb 20 ^th , 1959.

He graduated from Farmersville High School, Farmersville, Texas; class of 1956. Billy was a Millwright at General Motors in Marion, Indiana, where he retired after 25 years. Billy served in the United States Army 101 ^st Airborne. He was a member of LaFontaine United Methodist Church and a loyal member of the United Auto Workers.

Billy is survived by a son, Joe (Donna) Mercer of LaFontaine, Indiana; 3 Daughters, Marti (Leroy) Striker of Wabash, Indiana, Elizabeth (Ron) Hostetler of Wolcottville, Indiana, and Amy (Jeremy Geiser) Mercer of Mason, Ohio; 4 sisters, Anita Durden, Rita Smith both of Garland, Texas, Frances (Paul) Chapman of Wiley Texas, and Barbara Walts of Corpus Christi, Texas. 10 grandchildren, Taylor (Jordan), Nicholas, Peter, Will, Mitchell, Jake, Chloe, Lily, Harry, and Annabelle.

Celebration of life service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29 ^th , 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Crystal Jacobson.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29 ^th , 2016 at the funeral home prior to the service. Preferred memorials are directed to CCFA Foundation, www.ccfa.org . Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com .