Services Set for Man Killed in Bar Shooting

When Billy Lee McDaniel went to the Rock Harley Saloon March 1 his wife never thought he wouldn’t be coming home.

McDaniel, 44, was shot in the parking lot that night as members of the Southern Sons motorcycle club threw bottles and cups inside a plastic garbage can on top of McDaniel’s head. The game turned deadly when one Southern Sons member, identified by Pasco County deputies as Jeffrey Camarda, 44, decided to pull out a gun and shoot at the garbage can.

McDaniel was shot instead and died the next morning at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Camarda was charged with manslaughter.

“I’m still in a little bit of denial,” said Heather McDaniel, Billy Lee’s wife and the mother of his three children. The two met as teenagers, fell in love and made a life together. While their oldest son, Zackery, is 22 and has a wife of his own, the McDaniels have two small children still at home, Zephen, 10, and Zayla, 7.

“I look at them at night and think they won’t ever get to know their dad like I did,” said Heather.

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A visitation for McDaniel’s friends and family has been set for Wednesday at Loyless Funeral Home, 5310 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., from 6 to 7 p.m. A memorial service follows at 7.

A memorial fund has also been established to help the McDaniel family. Donations can be made to the Billy McDaniel Memorial Fund at Fifth Third Bank on Dale Mabry Highway and County Line Road in Lutz under the account number 990 7823 422.

Heather hasn’t had a chance to completely review all the family’s needs, but says she’s hoping to not have to move the family out of their home.

She’s also hoping to find the strength to “lighten up a little” to keep Billy’s spirit alive.

“Billy was always the fun, joking, high-spirted, helping everyone person,” she said. “Billy was the kind who would give anyone his last $5. He just had the biggest heart.”

For more information on the services, visit Loyless Funeral Home online.

Camarda remained in the Land O’ Lakes Jail Monday in lieu of $250,000 bond, according to jail records.

Photo of Billy Lee McDaniel courtesy of the McDaniel family

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