- Date Of Birth: December 5, 1948
- Date Of Death: August 20, 2015
- State: California
Mr. Billy Ray Gaston, a native and life long resident of San Diego passed suddenly on August 20, 2015. He was employed by Pacific Ship Repair & Fabrication for over 35 years.
BILLY RAY GASTON was born On December 5, 1948 in San Diego, California to proud parents, Will and Robbie Gaston. His beloved mother, whom he dearly loved, passed away on August 29, 2000. Billy received his formal education through the San Diego Unified School District, where he attended Stockton and Chollas Elementary, Gompers Jr. High and graduated from Morse High School with the “Class of 1967”. Billy was an entrepreneur at an early age. His first primary business was selling newspapers for Union Tribune while at Chollas Elementary. He would pay his employees a generous twenty-five cents a day. Billy was always hard working.
On May 12, 1980, Billy began, what would become a long, lasting career with Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication, Inc., where he was hired as an Electrician.
On Labor Day, September 3, 2007, Billy met the love of his life, the lovely Helen Taylor at an “O.G.” picnic. It was love at first sight. Two months later, on November 21, 2007, they were united in Holy Matrimony.
Billy was a very caring and devoted, husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and the best friend one could ever have. He had a very special and loving bond with his daughter, Felicia. She truly loved her dad and he loved her. He always had a big heart when it came to children. During the early years, after work, Billy would stop at the store and buy an enormous amount of candy. The children from at least two streets over would be waiting for him to come home. He would get out of his car with bags and bags of candy singing “Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two, The candy man can,” as he passed the candy out, spreading love throughout the community. Yes, he was known as the “Candy Man”. He will be greatly missed.
On Thursday, August 20, 2015, Billy Ray Gaston was called from earthly labor to eternal rest. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife, Helen Gaston; his children, Felicia of the United States Army, Selena, Syrina, Kevin and Maurice; his father, Will H. Gaston; his sisters, Lois Whitley, Betty Lee and Eula Fay Coley; stepchildren, LaVonya “Bonnie” Williams, (Merle), Audrenna Batie, Raenell Smith (Errol) and Rodney “Butch” Taylor; brother-in-law, Johnnie Gibson; sisters-in-law, Bettie Johnson and Dorothy Lowery (Joe); uncles, Lon L.
