Billy was born in Lamar County, AL on November 4, 1934. He married Virginia Miller on May 2, 1959. They lived in Columbus, MS until moving to Starkville in 1963.
Billy was a retired Assistant Fire Chief with the Starkville Fire Department, after 31 years of service. On his days off at the fire department, he installed carpet. After retirement, he worked as a jailer at the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department and a Courier for Cadence Bank.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Cora Vail; brothers, Morris Vail, Lewis Hill Vail, Wilford Vail, James Vail, twin brother, Bobby Vail; sister, Wilda Dawkins, all of Millport, AL.
Billy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia Vail; daughter, Diane Scarbrough (Charles), all of Starkville, MS; sisters-in-law, Patricia Turner of Florence, MS, Louise Vail of South Carolina, and Dean Vail of Millport, AL; brothers-in-law, Johnny Miller (Marsha) of Ackerman, MS, Jimmy Donahou (Lydia) of Starkville, MS; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 9, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Meadowview Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.
Pallbearers will be: Anthony Miller, Raymond Miller, Billy Ed Dawkins, Ray Hancock, Mike Vail, and Duane Miller.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Previous and present Starkville Fire Department firefighters
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meadowview Baptist Church, 300 Linden Circle, Starkville, MS 39759.
