Billy Gale Daniels

Billy G. Daniels, age 80, passed away at his home in Albuquerque on September 7, 2023.

Billy was born in Albuquerque, NM on May 31, 1943, to Charles and Mila Wiggins Daniels. Billy was raised in Mountainair, NM, graduating from Mountainair High School in 1961.

On June 16, 1963, Billy married Elizabeth Ann McDaniel in Columbia, LA, and settled in Espanola, NM. The family grew to three when they adopted a son, Bill Todd, in 1966. The family then moved to Bossier City, LA, where they welcomed a baby daughter, Teri Ann, in 1968. 

Billy was a talented woodworking craftsman. He did anything from trim carpentry, home construction, and, later in life, hand-crafted Southwestern furniture. Throughout their marriage, Billy and Elizabeth moved from Louisiana, to Texas, and back to New Mexico. 

Just before their 46th wedding anniversary in 2009, Elizabeth passed away. In 2016, he began a relationship with Victoria DiModica, whom he loved and treasured until his passing.

Billy is survived by his companion, Victoria DiModica, daughter and son-in-law, Teri and Travis Harris, grandchildren William Daniels and Myles Daniels, nieces and nephews Ronald (Janet) Daniels, Robert (Marlene) Sanders, Brian (Linda) Daniels, Cathy (Keith) Lehman, and Gary (Eileen) Daniels, great-niece Leslie (Steven) Marsico and their daughter, Gabriella, great-nephew Jeff Lehman, best friend since early childhood Augustine Otero and his family, sons Brett (Tinna) Otero and Bryan (Erica) Otero and their son, Wyatt, and his sister Lucy, family friends Melissa MacCloud, David and Kathy Wright, Brandon and Mary Wright, sister-in-law Miriam McDaniel, and numerous other nieces, nephews, and friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his wife Ann, son Bill, parents Charles and Mila Daniels, in-laws Louis and Sadie McDaniel, brother and sister-in-law Danny and Freida Daniels, sister and brother-in-law Georgia and Bill Steele, sister Amy Sanders, brother-in-law Thomas McDaniel, family friend Bonnie Otero, and his precious dog, Duchess, who helped him through some very difficult years.

Billy will be remembered mostly for his kindness, his love of family, and his sense of humor. His life was celebrated privately by his family and friends on September 14, 2023. Donations in Billy's honor may be made to any charitable organization of your choice with preference toward feeding those less fortunate and animal rescues.