William T. "Billy" Moody Jr.

November 20, 1936 - November 14, 2014

William Tatum “Billy” Moody, Jr. died peacefully at home on November 14, 2014. Billy was born November 20, 1936 to William Tatum Moody, Sr. and Lillian Jackson Moody in the Nanih Waiya community of Winston County, Louisville, Mississippi. He married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Kemp, on April 17, 1954. He graduated from Winston (Nanih Waiya) High School in 1955. Billy retired from Southern Natural Gas as Superintendent of Pipeline Operations after 37 years and from the U.S. Army National Guard. He continued to consult with Southern Natural Gas operations for many years after retirement. He was also co-owner, along with his brother Bobby, of Moody & Company right-of-way construction company for many years. He served several terms as Election Commissioner of Winston County, was the President of the Ellison Ridge Water Association, a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Chairman of the cemetery committee of Good Hope Baptist Church where he was a member all his life. He relished his days on the farm tending his cows and crops or working with a bulldozer. He loved the countryside where he lived all his life. With his guidance, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were always made aware of the importance of God, family, and heritage. Billy is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Ann Kemp Moody; children, Billie Regina Moody of Louisville; Danette Moody Barrier (Van) of Starkville, MS; and James William Moody of Madison, MS. He leaves grandchildren Lauren Barrier Tehan (Lee) of Jackson, MS; Danielle Barrier Atchley (Lance) of Philadelphia, PA; and Tatum Haze Barrier of Starkville, MS; and great-grandchildren Corbin and Max Tehan, his pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Jackson “Bobby” Moody (Ann); an aunt, Gladys Jackson; an uncle, Buster Moody; nephews, Robert Moody, Brent Horton, and Tony Kemp; nieces, Robin Moody Fulton and Kimberliegh Kemp James. Serving as pallbearers are Lee Tehan, Lance Atchley, Robert Moody, Buddy Fulton, Brent Horton, Gerald Ray Goodin, and Wayne Moody. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Kemp, Jimmy Lee, Eddie Lee, Tommy Jackson, Gene Livingston, Christopher Moody, Robert Hailey, Lamar Hailey, Lamar Parkes, his Sunday School class and the Deacons of Good Hope Baptist Church. Visitation is Sunday, November 16, 2014, 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi; and on Monday, at Good Hope Church from 9:30 a.m. until service time. The funeral will be Monday, November 17, 10:00 AM, Good Hope Baptist Church with graveside services following in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Billy’s memory can be made to Good Hope Baptist Church cemetery or building fund, or charity of choice. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.