(Loving Husband, Father & Friend)
Billy Joe “B.J.” Childers, age 88, passed on from this earth on February 22, 2022 at his home in Corinth, Billy Joe Childers
Bill was a native of Corinth, Mississippi and grew up on a farm outside of town, later attending Corinth High School until 1951. He met and later married the former Lola Jane Harrison of Corinth, Mississippi, in 1957.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in March 1953, serving four years as a Jet Engine Mechanic at both Amarillo AFB, Amarillo, Texas and Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, Louisiana. He was honorably discharged in March 1957.
Bill’s service to our nation continued with a long career with the U.S. Government as an Electronic Technician, and later as an Aviation Radar Technician with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 1960 – 1979, both at the Memphis Airport in Memphis, TN and later the Nashville Airport in Nashville, TN.
Preceded in death by his former spouse Jane, who were both married for 33 years. He was also preceded in death by his parents Jack F. Childers and Hazel W. Woods Childers, both native of Corinth, MS, and daughter Jennifer Lunn (Zak) of Hermitage, TN, formally Jennifer Heughan (Wesley).
In addition, he was preceded in death by one brother: Jake “J.C.” Childers, of Corinth, MS, and two Sisters: Sue Barnes (John) of Travelers Rest, S.C. and Martha Faye Lambert (Charles) of Barton, MS.
He is survived by three children, sons: Lieutenant Colonel (USAF Retired) Tim Childers (Marcie) of Gallatin, TN, and Scot Childers (Regina) of Goodlettsville, TN, and Daughter: Pam Smith (Sherwin) of Donelson, TN. He is also survived by nine (9) grandchildren and four (4) great-grandchildren.
He was a member and past Master Mason of Corinth 116 Masonic Lodge, a Hamasa Shriner and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Also, he was Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
He enjoyed his family and friends and especially his solitude, but added some occasional excitement with overnight trips to Tunica, MS to play the slot machines. He was also a frequent visitor to the “all you can eat” food buffet tables at the Casinos. In addition, he loved “hot tamales” and “slug burgers”, both a local Corinth favorite.
Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, March 5, 2022 at McPeters Funeral Home in Corinth, MS from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with a short funeral service to follow at 1:00 pm. Graveside Burial will be a private ceremony in Hermitage, TN the following Monday, March 7, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Hermitage Memorial Gardens with Family. He will be laid to rest along side his wife Jane Childers.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the Childers family.
