Billy Lawrence Coleman's Obituary
Longtime resident of Kirby Pines Estates, Billy Coleman (99) passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 14, 2024 after a brief illness. He was born in Pinson, TN on May 20, 1925 to Inez and Ernest Coleman. The family moved to Memphis and he graduated from Whitehaven High School. Billy has been a lifelong Christian and was an active member Labelle Haven Baptist Church up until his recent illness.
He was a veteran of World War II where he was a pilot flying stateside both B-17 and B-24 airplanes. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as well as its successor the Air Force. After the war, he remained active in the Air Force Reserves as well as becoming a air traffic controller. He went with his reserve unit to Japan to ferry supplies into South Korea during the Korean Conflict. He would eventually retire from the Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center (regional air traffic control center) as a supervisor.
He then went back to his first love...flying. Flying as a private corporate pilot for several companies based in Memphis. Billy was well respected as a safe pilot who listed among some of his favorite airplanes the
Stagger Wing Beach, the Lear Jet, the King Air and the Fairchild 24. For many years, Billy was known for his walking at Hickory Ridge Mall. This activity was continued at Kirby Pines where he was known for daily walks through the halls of various buildings. Also in retirement, he and brothers enjoyed trout fishing in Arkansas.
Billy was preceded in death by his wife Mary Nell Coleman, parents Ernest and Inez Coleman, his brother and sister-in-law George and Norma Jean, and his brother Ernest Donald Coleman and niece Amy Denise
Coleman. He is survived by his sons, Keith Coleman of Memphis and Richard Coleman (Marilyn),
granddaughter Rebekah, and great granddaughter Storm and great grandson Jet all of San Diego, CA.
He is also survived by two brothers, Rodney Coleman and James Coleman (Joy) and sister-in-law Bettye
Coleman as well as nephews George Coleman and Neal Coleman and niece, Kay Cobb.
Services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00 am at Labelle Haven Baptist Church, 4800 Hwy
305 North, Olive Branch, MS 38654. Visitation will be held one hour before, at 10:00 am. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Labelle Haven Baptist Church, Kirby Pines Residents Association designated to the Ham-Ateurs or the entertainers, which Billy participated in for a number of years, or a charity of your choice.
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