Billy R. Amburgey

Billy R. Amburgey, 86, of New Palestine, IN, passed away Friday May 12, 2023, at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. Bill was born on April 12, 1937, in Hot Spot, Kentucky the son of the late Archie W. and Cordelia (Watts) Amburgey. He attended Stuart Robinson School and was drafted into the United States Army serving from 1961 to 1963 Battery “A” 1st Howitzer Battalion 22nd Artillery. Bill married the love of his life, Mary Rose (Huggins) Amburgey and they happily shared over 60 years of love together. Bill was a past member of USAC (United States Auto Club) and life member of Cedar Grove Old Regular Baptist Church in Hallie Kentucky. He spent his life working every day to provide for his family and others. Self-taught with his skillsets, his career spanned over 75 years. Beginning with working his family’s farm then moving to Indiana and working at Hooks Drug Store in Indianapolis as a "soda jerk", Insley Crane Manufacturing Company and F & F Trucking. Bill became self-employed owning Petro's Tire Service and then started and ran B & M Cartage Trucking Company. He retired early from being a business owner followed by a second career for nearly 20 years in the NHRA Drag Racing series as a clutch and transmission specialist, mechanic, and transport driver for Steve Schmidt Racing, Indicom Racing and Bob Glidden Racing. Bill could build, fix, weld, or repair nearly anything. Bill’s greatest joy was being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing with his best friend, tending a garden, mowing, tinkering with and scrapping/recycling all sorts of metal parts and watching old western shows and movies. Any home cooked meal was his favorite meal with his dessert being ate first as that was the best part of the meal. He was proud of his heritage, full of life and loved his family, friends and was always willing to lend a hand. Bill is survived by his children Dave Amburgey (Debbie Nunnally) of Indianapolis, Dana Amburgey of Indianapolis, several nieces, nephews, and many friends and family members. He is preceded in death by his parents Archie W. and Cordelia (Watts) Amburgey; his wife Mary Rose (Huggins) Amburgey; his siblings Colleen Craft, Betty Jo Vannoy, Margaret Ison, Eddie Lee Amburgey and Mary Brancis Amburgey. Dave and Dana would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to the nurses, physicians, physicians assistants and respiratory team at Community Hospital South ER and PCU (2nd floor) units. Their compassion for Bill was outstanding going above and beyond providing great care during his brief time in the hospital. Visitation will be held on Wednesday May 17, 2023, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 12:00PM with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at New Palestine Cemetery in New Palestine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Grove Old Regular Baptist Church c/o Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary, or you may mail directly to the mortuary. Friends may share memories and condolences of Bill online at www.erleweinmortuary.com

Billy R. Amburgey

April 12, 1937 - May 12, 2023