Billy Wayne Lemley (known as Billy, Bill, and BW), age 66, born January 15, 1954, was a resident of New Hope, Alabama. He was a graduate of New Hope High School class of ’72. Billy received his BS from Alabama A&M and his Masters degree from University of Alabama at Huntsville.
He retired from Redstone Arsenal in 2016 after over 30 years of working for the government living mainly in Alabama, but also Panama and South Korea. Upon retirement he began spending much of the year in the ex-pat coastal town of Olon, Ecuador where he made many friends and watched many sunsets.
He enjoyed planting a large vegetable garden and growing his own food during the summer. He loved hunting and fishing – he could skin a buck deer, grow good ole tomatoes and homemade wine, the epitome of a Hank Williams Jr. song. Billy was the hardest working man I’ve ever known and could create anything with his hands, something very few have talent to do.
He was an avid Alabama football and NFL fan.
Billy is preceded in death by his mother, Amy Ann Lemley and survived by his father, Billy George Lemley and sister Barbara Ann Lemley.
Billy’s legacy will live on through daughter Amy Lemley Bailey (husband Bo), daughter Cary Lemley Mason (husband Matt Williamson), daughter Jessie Ann Lemley, granddaughter Marybella Rene Bailey, and a host of other friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to a cause that is dear to their hearts – the Boys&Girls Club of North Alabama at , an organization that is devoted to ending generational poverty ensuring that every boy and girl in North Alabama have a chance for success.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by New Hope Funeral Home. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 18 (Billy’s mother Amy’s birthday) 3pm at Byrd Cemetery in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. The service is reserved for 10 family members graveside, but friends and colleagues are welcome to park and witness.
