Billy Joe “Catfish” Cothran, age 88 of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. The third of twelve children, he was born in Ardmore, OK, to the late John A. Cothran and Ruth Mae Pritchett Cothran. Mr. Cothran was also preceded in death by his son, William Todd Cothran and four sisters, and six brothers.
Mr. Cothran is survived by his daughter, Tammy Garrett and her husband Tim of Old Hickory, TN; granddaughter, Blake Hatcher and her husband Tyler of Old Hickory, TN, and grandson, Austin Garrett of Old Hickory, TN; sister, Linda Belt of Ardmore, OK; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many friends who loved him dearly. He was also known as “Papa” to his grandchildren Blake and Austin, and Mr. Bill/Catfish to many friends and fishing buddies.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, July 25, 2025, at Living Springs Baptist Church, 4559 Weakley Lane, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, July 26, 2025, with visitation from 11:00 AM until the time of the Celebration of Life. Jay Covington will officiate. Burial will follow in Mapleview Cemetery with Austin, Tim, and Scott Garrett, Tyler Hatcher, Creig Belt, Gary and Tony Farrell, and Josh Moss serving as pallbearers.
Mr. Cothran was a member of Living Springs Baptist Church, a veteran with the Air National Guard, and retired from the LaVergne Farmers Co-op in 1992.
Mr. Cothran loved and enjoyed fishing so much, he was given the name of “Catfish”. He was an avid University of Oklahoma “Sooners” fan and never missed a football game on television.
The family has requested to wear bright colors, or red to the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family to help with other expenses.
