Billy Frank Mitcham

On September 18, 2015, Billy F. Mitcham, Jr. (Bill), passed to eternal life surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born January 8, 1948 in Brawley, California, and grew up in Texas. After graduating from Spring Branch High School in 1966, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps with his best friend Bo Lewis on the buddy system. He served in Vietnam for four years. He and Bo did not see each other after boot camp but remained good friends throughout his life. Bill was teaching at El Toro Marine Air Station where he completed his duty. He loved California and soon found an opportunity to buy into a bar business and later purchased interest in a second bar. In early 1970, Bill sold his interest and moved back to Texas to be closer to family; and began his career in the oil and gas industry with Halliburton Services. In 1979, Bill joined his father, Billy Mitcham, Sr., in the family business, Mitcham Associates, in Houston. Bill Sr. handled the seismic side of the business and Bill Jr. was responsible for service and drilling parts. In the early 1980s, the business relocated to the Huntsville area. With his entrepreneurial vision he, along with his younger brother Paul, soon learned all they could on the both the seismic and drilling side. In 1987, Bill Jr. presided over the formation of Mitcham Industries, a publically-held international geophysical supplier of seismic equipment to the oil and gas industry, where he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer. With Bill’s vision and oversight, Mitcham Industries has become the largest independent lessor of advanced seismic equipment in the world. Since the formation in 1987 the company has grown to nine locations around the world. Bill was a devoted husband, a loving son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle to his large family and a treasured friend to many. Bill was also a true patriot, entrepreneur and mentor. He will long be remembered for his annual July 4th fireworks celebration where he entertained family, friends, and business associates with the sole purpose of instilling “love of country” and an appreciation of American values and the American way of life. Bill was a kind and gentle soul who always put family and friends first and he will be missed by all. Bill is survived by Debbie, his wife of sixteen years; his mother, Polly Cree; son, Billy F. Mitcham III and wife Helen and their children Ethan and twins Sean and Sarah; sons, Ben Mitcham, Garrett Sprott, Grant Sprott and special shared son Cody Corbin and wife Kerri and Bryce; brother, Paul Mitcham and wife Fallon; brother, Steve Cree and wife Valerie; brother, Bruce Cree; sister, Donna McLauchlin and husband Archie; sisters, Joy Mitcham, Sheilah Anderson, Laura Fisher and husband Jerry; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael and Gloria Mechaley; his step-mother Lori Mitcham and children Gary Miller and wife Miron; Steve Miller and wife Olivia; Eddie Carmack; Sherry Carter and husband Rodney. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces/nephews all of whom he had a special relationship. He was preceded in death by his father Billy F. Mitcham Sr., his brother John Mitcham, step-father Jim Cree and grandparents Nolan and Ouida Mitcham. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero and the leukemia staff along with Lori Griffin, Stem Cell MUD coordinator at M. D. Anderson; and Dr. Elham Abbasi and her staff at North Houston Cancer Clinic, along with the staff at Huntsville Memorial Hospital especially Tommy, Tamara, Josephine, Brittany, Lynn, Kim, Heather, Suzanne and Kara. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 22nd at First United Methodist Church from 5:00-7:00 PM. The celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, September 23rd, at 10:00 AM at Northside Baptist Church, Huntsville, TX. His Pastor and friend, The Reverend Reagan Cooksey will officiate. Graveside services with military honors to follow at Mayes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery, Huntsville, TX. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Bill’s name be directed to: Northside Baptist Church In Memory of Bill Mitcham Jr. Youth Building Program 1207 FM 980 Huntsville, TX 77320 or The Society of Exploration Geophysicists Billy Mitcham Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund P O Box 702740 Tulsa, OK 74170

Billy Frank Mitcham

January 8, 1948 - September 18, 2015