Billy Jay Groce
December 20, 1931 –
Billy Jay Groce of Ruskin, FL, went to be with his Lord, surrounded by family, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. He was born Dec. 20, 1931, in New Castle, PA. He was married to the love of his life, Lois (Bechtal), for 43 years before her passing in 1996. He is survived by five children, Clayton Groce (Carol), Nancy Saltzgaver, Kathy Lockhart, Karen Tanski (Steve) and Doug Groce, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He served his Lord faithfully for over 75 years. He attended First Christian Church in New Castle, PA, until 1969 when he moved his family to Florida. He was a member and former trustee of Northside Baptist Church in Ruskin for over 54 years.
Bill was drafted in 1951 by Connie Mack of the Kansas City Athletics as a third baseman. Unfortunately, he never got to fulfill his dream of playing pro baseball. He was drafted by Harry Truman the same year and served his country from 1951 till 1954. He served in Korea as a tank division commander and obtained the rank of Sargent First Class FSC. He frequently played fast pitch baseball, fast pitch softball and slow pitch softball while he was able.
He was a self-made man, starting a Western Auto store in 1955 in PA and then buying and operating Thompson Auto Parts in Ruskin until his retirement in 1989.
He never lost his passion for God, his family and his church family. He has obtained everlasting life with his Lord and awaits His return.
Services will be Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church in Ruskin with dinner to follow at noon.
He served his Lord faithfully for over 75 years. He attended First Christian Church in New Castle, PA, until 1969 when he moved his family to Florida. He was a member and former trustee of Northside Baptist Church in Ruskin for over 54 years.
Bill was drafted in 1951 by Connie Mack of the Kansas City Athletics as a third baseman. Unfortunately, he never got to fulfill his dream of playing pro baseball. He was drafted by Harry Truman the same year and served his country from 1951 till 1954. He served in Korea as a tank division commander and obtained the rank of Sargent First Class FSC. He frequently played fast pitch baseball, fast pitch softball and slow pitch softball while he was able.
He was a self-made man, starting a Western Auto store in 1955 in PA and then buying and operating Thompson Auto Parts in Ruskin until his retirement in 1989.
He never lost his passion for God, his family and his church family. He has obtained everlasting life with his Lord and awaits His return.
Services will be Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church in Ruskin with dinner to follow at noon.