Billy Joe Dockal, of Mason, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, at the age of 85. He was born in McCulloch County on October 20, 1928 to Adolf D. Dockal and Viola Palmer Dockal. On December 14, 1947 he married Nina M. Waller at her parents' home in Mason. They were together for 60 years until her passing in 2008. Billy Joe farmed in the Streeter community, then worked in Mason Grocery until he went to work for the Texas Department of Transportation in May 1949 until retirement after 42 years on October 31, 1990. He also did custom farming for others as well as raising a large garden.

Survivors include his sons Larry Joe Dockal and wife Donna of Uvalde and Jerry Don Dockal and wife Kathy of Aiken, South Carolina, two brothers Duard Dockal and wife Carolyn and Mark Dockal and wife Debbie all of Mason, a sister Bonnie Davis and husband Kenneth of Mason, 4 grandchildren Diana Dube and husband Jason, Larry Dockal II and wife Amanda, Michael Dockal and wife Karla and Andrew Dockal and wife Krista, grandson-in-law Jason Hale, and 12 great-grandchildren Brandon and Bradley Dube, Preslie and Pierce Hale, Shyann, Larry III, Ciera, Caleb, Colton, Caylin, Chayden and Katie Dockal and numerous nieces nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Eddie Ray, Johnie Lee and Paul Dockal, wife Nina Marie Dockal and a granddaughter Deborah Hale.