Billy Ray DeFrees, 73, of Woodway, died Wednesday, February 21, 2007 in a local hospital. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 23 at Whitehall Cemetery in Woodway with Dr. Brian Pendleton officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors. Mr. DeFrees, a lifetime area resident was born June 7, 1933 in McLennan County to parents John Ricely and Willie Yeats DeFrees. He was a graduate of Moody High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving during the Korean conflict. He married Billie Woods on February 23, 1957 in the Shiloh Baptist Church near Crawford. Two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. Mr. DeFrees retired from TXU after 39 years of service and was currently driving a bus for the Midway I.S.D. He was a member of American Legion Post #121 in Waco, City of Woodway Foundation and First Baptist Church of Woodway. He was a co-founder of the Midway Little League, an avid Midway sports fan and enjoyed following his grandchildren's sporting events. He and his wife were recently surprised with an anniversary celebration on the Zack and Jim Cruise to Mexico along with his children and their spouses. Pallbearers will be his sons, son-in-law, grandsons and Brett Sanders. Survivors include his wife Billie of Woodway; children, Larry DeFrees and wife Diane of Hewitt; Dwayne DeFrees and wife Karie of Lorena; Diana Dziedzic and husband Duane of Robinson; grandchildren, Ryan DeFrees, Braeden DeFrees, Brooke DeFrees, Kristin DeFrees, Dalton Dziedzic, Dylan Dziedzic, Braylie DeFrees and Dru Dziedzic. The family request memorial to Providence Hospice at 4830 Lakewood Drive, Suite 2, Waco, TX 76710 or Midway I.S.D. Education Foundation at 1205 Foundation Drive, Waco, TX 76712.