Billy J Colvard's Obituary
Billy (Bill) Joe Colvard was born June 4, 1935 on a kitchen table to Mary Edna and Marcelous Colvard in Titus, Alabama. Bill served proudly as a Sergeant in the United States Marines from 1954-1957 and received a Bachelors in Science degree in 1963 and a Masters degree in 1967 from Memphis State University. The Marines were instrumental in shaping him into a leader for the Memphis community. He was a Dolphin Boat Club Commodore in 1962 and 1963 and was a member of the Water Front Patrol on the River. He was a teacher at Scenic Hills and Principal at Neshoba and Riverdale Schools in Germantown. Bill was President of the Shelby County Education Association from 1968-1970 and President of the Germantown Civic Club in 1969. He then was a Field Representative for the Tennessee Education Association from 1971-1996. Bill was passionate about the Memphis Zoo, where he served as the Zoological President in 1987. He became a Master Gardener in the first class in Memphis (1995), was named as President of Master Gardeners in 1996, and was an instructor with Master Gardeners 1996-2000. He shared his love, knowledge, and vegetables from gardening with others. He was known for his delicious pickles and canning of jams and vegetables. In 2003, Bill was honored with The Award of Horticultural Excellence from the Memphis Horticultural Society and also served as the Educational Orchard Team Leader at the Memphis Botanic Garden. One of Bill’s favorite things was being in the Marine Corps League and helping collect for Toys for Tots around Christmas. Bill was a Member of Germantown United Methodist Church and the Seekers Sunday School Class.
Bill went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 30, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Sally Colvard; his daughters, Kelly Parsons, Chris Daley, and Kelley Rowland; and grandchildren, Logan Parsons, Kelan Parsons, Jordan Daley, Mary Rowland, and Meredith Rowland. In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Memphis Botanic Gardens, Marine Corps. League/Toys for Tots, or the Memphis Zoological Society. Vistation will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home (5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38119) on Thursday, October 6th from 10-11 a.m., with a Graveside service to follow at 11 a.m.
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