Billy Holmes

Billy Gene Holmes was born Sept 28, 1943 in the Purdy community of McNairy County. He was the son of the late Roy Lee Holmes and Mary Lee Roberts Holmes.

As a young teenager, he accepted Jesus into his heart and was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church.

Billy worked at Brown Shoe Company and different auto body repair shops. He worked with Brodie Stackens, Dub Nowlin, Rod Provience and his brother, RL Holmes. He bought a shop from RL in 1977 and was self employed until April 2014. Through the years, he made many friends in the car business and was known for the sleek shiny paint jobs. He always tried to make any car he owned unique by painting details. He loved all cars, old and new, but corvettes were always his favorite.

Billy was a kid at heart; he played with his kids and grand kids whether it be on the ball field or the gullies in Purdy. He was always up for a trip to Shiloh with a picnic.

Billy enjoyed watching sports, especially kids baseball and girls fast pitch softball. He never missed watching the Little League World Series. He hated missing his grandsons games but expected to be there for the first pitch or he didn’t want to go at all. After coaching for 3 generations, he turned to taking care of his yard and shop. He always tried to get wild things to bloom and wanted nothing cut down. He enjoyed watching Joel Osteen on Sunday mornings. He tried to do everything he could to give his family the things they wished for. Billy will be forever young in our hearts.

Mr. Holmes departed this life on June 24, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 75 Years, 8 Months, 27 Days. He is survived by three sons, Bobby Holmes of Jackson , TN, Jamie Holmes of Adamsville, TN, Brett Holmes of Admasville, TN; a daughter, Heather Garrett and husband Hunter of McKenzie, TN; companion, Debbie Moffett of Adamsville, TN; two great nephews who he loved like his sons, Colton and Caleb Easter both of Adamsville, TN; a brother, R.L. Holmes of Adamsville, TN; three grandchildren, Jessica Holmes of Gallatin, TN, Hayden and Hudson Garrett both of McKenzie, TN; and a host of extended family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by four sisters, Martha Holmes, Sonya Holmes, Dorothy Hendrix, Mary Frances Garner.