Billy Joe Harvey was born on July 6, 1930 in Troup, Texas to his parents Arch Geverness (Vernon) Harvey and Inez Ethel Moore. He had four sisters, Geneva Inez Pate, Dorothy Mae Bass, Betty Rae Shuptrine, and Nelda Laverne Baxter. His parents and sisters have all preceded him in death.

Bill received Jesus Christ as his Saviour when he was 17 years old at Patrick Baptist Church in Ferris, Texas.

He graduated from Rusk High School in Rusk, Texas. He met and fell in love with Quessie Elaine Gideon and they were married October 6,1950. They had one son, Steven Alan Harvey who proceeded them in death on August 11, 2020. Bill’s remaining relatives are six nieces and two nephews, and many great nieces, and great nephews.

In 1952 he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps. Bill Harvey served his country proudly as a marine and was stationed in Santa Ana, California. The time in the Marines proved to be a blessing to him.

Bill and Quessie Harvey graduated and were approved as missionaries from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri on May 27, 1957. By 1958 they were in Mexico City studying the language. In 1959 Dr. Donnelson, Director of Missions of the BBFI asked them if they would be willing to take over leadership of the Instituto Biblico Bautista in Ciudad, Mante, Tamaulipas, Mexico where they remained for the majority of their 69 years in the Mission field until health reasons no longer permitted it. They then moved just over the border to McAllen, Texas. Bill continued his mission field work through financial help and prayers. Many students\graduates are serving in Mexico, USA, and other countries around the world as missionaries as products of Bill and Quessie Harvey’s ministry in Mexico. Since 1957, the Bible School has been responsible for training over one thousand full-time ministers and such serving the Lord. Hundreds of churches have been established in Mexico, USA, and in other parts of the world by Bill and Quessie Harvey. God’s ministry through them continues to be multiplied over and over. They were true servants of the Lord from start to finish.

Bill’s favorite chapter in the Bible was Romans. He often quoted Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

He is loved and appreciated by family, fellow missionaries, the people of Mexico, and many other friends. We look forward to seeing him again in heaven soon.

Flowers may be sent to Grace Baptist Church 209 W. Jefferson Palmer, Texas 972-449-3265.

The viewing will start at 10:00 am for family and friends on November 2, 2026 (Monday). The service will start at 11:00 am at Grace Baptist and the burial will be at 12:00 pm at the Palmer Cemetery 301 E. Lamar Palmer, Texas 75152.

Submitted by family