Billy Hinds Haygood lived a remarkable, purpose-filled life of 84 years serving his God, his country, his family, his community, and his profession. Billy realized the promises of his lifelong faith and entered the Heavenly Kingdom on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, after a week’s stay at NMMC- Baldwyn Nursing Center. Born as the only child on March 25, 1939, into the pioneer Haygood family of the Cedar Hill Community of Lee County, he was the son of the late William Thomas Haygood and Christeen Claunch Haygood. Billy enjoyed a pristine childhood, learned from his parents and forebears great lessons of life. He was in the last graduating class of Cedar Hill High School. Billy attended Itawamba Junior College and later earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from his beloved Mississippi State University. He married the love of his life, Martha Nell Bailey Haygood on April 17, 1959, a marriage of 65 years. Billy became an accounting officer for Hancock Fabrics. When Mr. L. D. Hancock sold the company to Lucky, Billy remained the Chief Financial/Investment Officer for Mr. Hancock, and after his death managed the family portfolio for the Hancock family. Billy was blessed with a sharp, analytical mind, was honest to a fault and went out of his way to be accommodating, kind and generous to all with whom he came into contact. Raised under the spiritual guidance of Camp Creek Baptist Church, he was a longtime active and faithful member of Harrisburg Baptist Church where he had served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and in various other capacities. He was an integral part of Global Outreach serving on their Board of Directors for many years. Billy Haygood was a man among men, and his legacy will always be that of a strong, devoted, and spiritual man whose life made a difference to everyone.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at Harrisburg Baptist Church with his pastor, Rev. Rob Armstrong, and longtime family friend, Rev. Kerry Powell, officiating. A private family committal service will follow in Camp Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until service time Friday only, at Harrisburg Baptist Church. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to serve their friends.
Survivors include his wife, Martha of Saltillo; 2 daughters, Cecilia Willis (Gary, deceased) of Saltillo, and Kathy Keady (Darrell) of Starkville; 1 son, Dr. Christopher Haygood of Stillwater, Oklahoma; 2 special grandsons, Chance Willis, and Hayden Willis (fiancé Andrea); two great-grandchildren, Wrenly and Ellie; his first cousin, Lydia Lauderdale (Jim Bert) of Shannon; and a host of beloved friends everywhere.
Pallbearers will be Neal Haygood, Buddy Dickerson, Jimmy Byrd, Tommy Smith, Dan Bailey, Nathan Bailey, Daniel Bailey, Billy Greenwalt and Wyatt Greenwalt. Honorary pallbearers will be his dear friends from the Tutor/Weeks Sunday school class at Harrisburg.
Memorials may be made to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801, Camp Creek Baptist Church, 854 County Road 231, Guntown, MS, or to Global Outreach, P. O. Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802. Condolences may be sent to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
