Billy Franklin Byassee's Obituary
Billy Franklin Byassee, 80, of Memphis, Tennessee passed from this life into eternal life on January 19, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital, Bartlett, Tennessee. Born in Arlington, Kentucky on February 24, 1940 to Benjamin Franklin Byassee (1884-1979) and Lucy Elizabeth Hagood (1901-1968) both of Bardwell, Kentucky. He leaves a loving spouse of twenty- two years, Barbara Marler Byassee, a sister, Annette Byassee Mix of Bardwell, Kentucky, a daughter, Karen (Tony West) Byassee Moore of Cordova, TN, a son Bryan (Kimberly) Byassee of Little Rock, AR, beloved granddaughters, Olivia (Sinjin) Logan of Hernando, MS, Julia Moore of Bartlett, TN and a sincerely loved grandson David Moore of Collierville, TN. He is also survived by two beloved great granddaughters, Ava Price of Bartlett, TN and Riley Logan of Hernando, MS. Billy (Bill) was preceded in death by his first wife Brenda Sue Morris Byassee to whom he was married to for thirty-eight years until her death in 1998. He was also preceded in death by a half-sister, Elizabeth Irene Byassee Hogancamp and half-brother, Benjamin Byassee (1923-1923).
Billy graduated in 1958 from Carlisle County High School in Carlisle, Kentucky where he then entered Murray State University and attended college. In addition, Billy enlisted in the State of Kentucky with the United States Army and served his country with honorable discharge. He worked in the heating and air business for many years and retired in 1997.
Billy’s most treasured hobbies included fishing and working at his lake-house with his family, traveling with his wife, Barbara, which included completing his goal of visiting all fifty (50) United States, including Alaska where he was stationed during his Army service, enjoying holidays with his loved ones, and visiting his daughter, son, grandchildren, and great granddaughters. He served as a member of the Fraternity of Masonry for forty-seven years and attained the level of Scottish Rite.
It is the celebration of Billy Franklin Byassee’s life that each of us who knew him carry forward into our own lives to deliver comfort to each other. Bill’s favorite hymn was How Great Thou Art. The lyrics, When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!” these lyrics filled heaven when Bill passed from this life to his eternal life!
John 14: 1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God: believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (NIV). There will be a graveside service for Bill at 10am at Forrest Hill South for those who wish to attend.
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