Billy Jack Cozart's Obituary
Billy Jack Cozart, age 86, passed from this life on April 4, 2019. Bill was born December 11, 1932 in Valdosta, Georgia, to Jack and Irene Cozart. Bill was the eldest of five children. His early years were spent helping on the family farm where tobacco and vegetables were grown. In 1950, at around the age of 18, Bill joined the Air Force and spent some time stationed in England. His last duty station was Savannah, Georgia. There he met Bette Woodward. They were married in 1954 and were happily married for 60 years, until Bette’s death. After completing his enlistment in the Air Force, Bill moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he took a job with Lockheed. He later took a job with the Federal Aviation Administration. He initially was in the electronics/avionics sector but at his retirement in 1990, He was in a FAA management position at the Memphis Airport. He and Bette had two children, a daughter, Anne Thomas (John) of Collierville, TN, and a son, Billy Cozart who preceded him in death. He and Bette were blessed with three grandchildren, Amy Benefield (Brian) of Franklin, TN, Kyle Thomas of Collierville, TN, and Kelsi Lane (Dylan) of Rogers, Arkansas who all loved their “DEDADDY”. They also were overjoyed with three GREAT grandchildren, Jack, Luke, and Libby Benefield. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bette, his son Billy, and a brother, Harold Cozart. He is survived by two brothers, Raymond Cozart of Tyrone, GA, and Bennett Cozart of Tampa, FL., and one sister, Mary Lou Surles, of Madison, FL. After Bill retired, Bill and Bette loved traveling all over the United States. Bill loved anything to do with airplanes. Bill was a member of the Germantown Church of Christ. He loved his Lord and the Church and was very involved with several church building projects. He with others also helped behind the scenes with various maintenance issues at the church building until his health prevented him from doing so. He was very gracious in sharing his knowledge and his keen ability in being able to fix almost anything. He especially enjoyed his bible class and read his bible faithfully. At his death, he was a resident at the Kirby Pines Retirement Community. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and funeral services celebrating Billy’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., all at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family gratefully appreciates your kind words and prayers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be directed to the Germantown Church of Christ Mission Fund or to Crossroads Hospice.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “A Fitting Farewell for Everyone”.
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