Billy B. "Lefty" Faulk, 77, of Center, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2008 at a Center nursing home. He was suffering from cancer. He was born March 12, 1931 in Center to John Henry Faulk & Wylma Lawrence Faulk. Faulk, a left-handed fireballer, was a graduate of Center High School, where he excelled in football and baseball from 1945-1948. He attended Sam Houston State Teachers College, where he compiled a 17-10 record as a pitcher, including a no-hitter and one-hitter against the University of Houston and shutouts over such Southwest conference teams as Baylor, TCU and SMU. His no-hitter was in the next-to-last game he played in 1952, as a Bearkat, and was broadcast on Huntsville radio with Dan Rather doing the play-by-play. He was inducted into Sam Houston State University's Athletic Hall of Honor during their 2000 Homecoming activities. Lefty served in the US Navy and played on teams that won two all service championships. He also played with the Shreveport Sports in the Texas League before an arm injury ended his career. He then worked as an insulator in Houston until 1977, when he retired and returned to Center. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Center, where he was part of Dr. Hooker's Bible class.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. John Bender officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Center.

He is survived by:

Daughter, Dana Cockerham & husband Raymond of Oscar, Louisiana

Brother, Robert Faulk & wife Rebecca of Lufkin

Stepsons:
Dennis Hutto, Chester Hutto & Kevin Hutto

Special Friends
Dr. Joe B. Hooker
McNeil Moore

Special caretaker, Robbin Goodwin

Preceded by:
Wife, Margie Faulk
Parents, John Henry Faulk & Wylma Lawrence Faulk