Obituary of Billy Ray Schumpert

Billy Ray Schumpert "BeBeep", 80, of Columbia passed away on Thursday, the fifteenth day of March 2018 surrounded by his family. Billy Ray was preceded in death by wife Audrey Marleon Schumpert, his mother Lula Mae Broome, his father William Clarence Schumpert and his 5 brothers. He is survived by his children, Danny Schumpert and Tammy Kendrick (Gary); his 5 grandchildren, Kayli Taylor (Johnathon), Garrett Kendrick, Tyler Kendrick, Danny Michael and Deven Michael; great-granddaughter, Audrey Taylor; and many nieces and nephews. Billy Ray served his country in the United States Air Force. He was proud to say that he was the youngest person to ever join the United States Air Force after enlisting at the age of 13. Billy Ray was a life-time charter member of the Jamil Shrine Temple. He held several titles over the years including Potentate, Director, Treasurer and Chaplain and served on the Jamil Shrine Temple Divan from 1989-1993. In 1993, when he was serving as Potentate, he was a recipient of the highest award given to a Shriner, the Walt Disney Award, of which he was incredibly proud. He also received the Jamil crown of honor for his time at the Jamil Temple. Billy Ray was a member of the Fort Jackson Masonic Lodge #374 where he was a 32nd degree Master Mason for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Scottish and York Rites of Columbia. He was a former member of Omar Temple located in Charleston, South Carolina and a former member of the Omar Temple Legion Honor Marching Drill Team. He belonged to the Red Cross 5 gallon club and was an active member of his church, First Church of God on Covenant Road. Family will receive visitors at Greenlawn Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum at ten o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the twentieth day of March. Entombment will follow at eleven o'clock. Honored to serve as casket bearers are Jerry Sanders, Joe Hilton, Leonard Walker, and members of the Fort Jackson Masonic Lodge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Billy Ray's honor to the First Church of God, 2665 Covenant Road, Columbia, SC, or to the Shriners Children's Hospital, Greenville, SC. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Staff of Select Specialty Hospital, 1537 Walton Way, Augusta, GA, for the love and care shown to Mr. Schumpert and family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park.