Billy Dean Harbin, 90, of New Market, passed away at home surrounded by his family on May 25, 2023. He spent his early years living in Huntsville’s Dallas Mill Village where his parents worked in the Cotton Mill. When he was a young child, his family moved to Hazel Green, and he attended Walnut Grove School and Hazel Green High School. He was a Florence State Teachers College (UNA) graduate before becoming a proud member of the Army. After serving in the Army, he continued serving in the Army Reserves and retired as Lt Colonel. Once he left the Army, he got a civilian job working at the Redstone Arsenal as an Ordnance Guided Missile School Instructor and served in that capacity for 8 years.
His next adventure was running his family-owned grocery store, Harbin & Campbell, located in the Walnut Grove Community for the next 4 years. He was then elected to serve as the Circuit Clerk of Madison County starting in 1970 and retired in 2001. He was a member of the Union Grove Baptist Church and a devoted family man that loved working in his garden, hunting, and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Harbin and Willie Harbin; his brother, Harold; his sisters Betty Harbin and Ruby Campbell, and his beloved wife of 59 years, Joyce Harbin.
He is survived by his children, Danny (Marilyn) Harbin and Sandy (Barry) Phillips. His grandchildren, Krista (Chris) Contreras, Whitney (Tyler) Oliver, and Kayla Phillips; and his great-grandchildren, Connor and Kayden Contreras. His step grandchildren, Stephanie Schrimsher and Anna Parks; step great-grandchildren, Dylan and Emma Hereford, Anna-Kate and Bentley Barbee, and Isabella and Penelope Parks.
The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 5-8 p.m., at Union Grove Baptist Church located at 1498 Butler Road; New Market; Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1pm also at the church. Burial will follow and will be in Taylor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amedisys Hospice of Huntsville, Alabama.
Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
