Dr. Billy Ralph Farris of Decatur passed away Thursday, Aug. 18th after a long illness with diabetes. He was 79.
A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, Aug. 21 at the Decatur Country Club from 3 to 5 p.m. Graveside service will be Monday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alabama Lions Sight, 700 South 18th St., Birmingham, AL 35223, Decatur Dixie Youth Baseball Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2675, Decatur, AL 35602 or Hospice of the Valley, 240 Johnston St. SE, Decatur, AL 35601.
Dr. Farris is survived by his children, Wendy (Jimmy Ray) of Decatur, Sarah (Edward) Powell of Mountain Brook, Billy (Leigh) Farris of Shelby and Beau (Kim) Farris of Killen; grandchildren, Tyler (Michelle) Smith, Anna (Nicholas) Walton, Christian (Kathryn) Smith, David, Caroline and Marshall Wilensky, Lame Leboff, Sydney and Trey Farris and Savannah and Chandler Farris; great-grandchildren, Daivyn Hughes and Mosser and Ivere Smith; sister, Elizabeth (Bill) Hawkins; stepchildren, Shane (Krysti) Blanton and Kim Shelton; stepgrandchildren, Mary Belle Blanton, Ashley and Laura Shelton, Adam (Maegan) Powell, Rachel (Tim) Casebolt; and six great-stepgrandchildren.
Billy was born in Kansas, Alabama on October 30, 1936 to loving parents, Lucille and Clespy Farris. He grew up with a love for sports, playing quarterback for his high school football team and winning the state championship. He was offered several football scholarships including one to Florida State, but turned them all down. Some say it was his mother’s “farm to table cooking” that kept him close to home, but others will argue it was Divine Intervention because God knew that Billy Ralph Farris, Burt Reynolds, and Lee Courso on the same college football team could be a dangerous situation for all involved. He instead chose to play baseball for the Crimson Tide, and loved every minute of it. During his time at the University of Alabama, he made lifelong friends, including his teammate, Fred Frickie.
After college, he was offered a contract to play with the Giants, but his father’s wisdom in pushing for a good education made him realize it was time to hang up his cleats in order to earn a decent living. He chose to become a dentist, and attended the University of Alabama Dental School. After graduation, he served proudly as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the Marine Base in Parris Island, South Carolina.
Dr. Farris dedicated his time to making his community a better place with his countless hours of volunteering. He never asked for thank you’s, knowing he did his part was all the reward he needed. He coached Dixie Youth Baseball where he “educated umpires” on a regular basis in Decatur and Elba. When he questioned a call, and walked on the field with his rule book in hand, he felt confident things would go his way. He truly enjoyed teaching young men about the game he loved so much. Because of this, he made lasting bonds with these men that still stand to this day, including his former player, Jimmy Watts. He was a charter member of the Booster Club for Calhoun Community College and was also the announcer for both baseball and basketball games. His announcing experience was not only enjoyed by Calhoun fans, but all the neighbors living on Meadowbrook Road during Alabama football games in the fall. No microphone required. He developed the East West Baseball Tournament in north Alabama which showcased local players and allowed them to perform for scouts to earn college scholarships. He knew the importance of this opportunity for players, and remembered how much it had helped him when he played in the tournament. After a heavy rain had soaked the field on the day of the tournament, he asked helicopters to come and hover over to dry the field. This project was not going to fail on his watch. He was president of the Lions Club, but most remember his antics as the “Tail Twister” at meetings. His love of laughter and practical jokes were legendary. He served as president of Ducks Unlimited, was a member of the Board of Education in Elba, was a “Paul Harris Fellow” with the Rotary Club, and a member of the Elba Quarterback Club.
He was wise about technology, but mostly about the advantages of the lack of it. He chose not to allow a TV, telephone or even a clock in his cabin on the Tennessee River. This forced his four children to entertain themselves with fishing (baiting their own hooks), swimming and diving off the dock with the family dogs, trying to out do one another in water skiing tricks, and hiking the property to look for the never seen but heard about bear who ate all the wild blackberries. As a result, his four children became best friends, which they still remain to this day. His beloved uncle and forever Rook partner, James O’Mary, was a fixture most weekends. Farris and O’Mary enjoyed making up the rules as they played cards, but let their wives think they won a hand or two just to be nice.
He was an avid reader, which meant he was always learning and trying new things. Even though Dr. Farris had his pilot’s license, he did not enjoy flying; so, he chose to explore the world with his ham radio instead. He loved the outdoors: hunting quail was one of his favorite activities. He trained his prized bird dogs to point in his back yard using a cane pole with a bird wing attached. This was a trick his grandfather had taught him. His love of fishing was passed down to his children and grandchildren. His famous 65 pound Spoonbill catfish, caught on a trot line, was his most interesting catch. He dabbled in wine making and brought his latest vintage to the Farris family Christmas party one year, only to find out it was still fermenting and had exploded all over the trunk of his car. That was his last batch, and friends and neighbors were very disappointed the Farris vineyard was no longer in operation.
Dr. Farris lived a life filled with family and friends who loved him, and he will be remembered as a man of faith. The Bible he kept on his desk was not for show. He was adamant that his children would attend church every Sunday, and learn the love of our Lord. During his induction into the Letterman’s Club at the University of Alabama, “A-Club,” Farris said he couldn’t be happier unless he had received a straight ticket to heaven. Now he has both.
A very heartfelt thank you to the staff and nurses at Morningside Assisted Living, Riverside Senior Living, First Response Ambulance Service, Decatur Dialysis Center and Hospice of the Valley for the providing care and compassion during his final years in Decatur.
Pallbearers are his grandsons, Tyler and Christian Smith, David and Marshall Wilensky, Trey and Chandler Farris, Nicholas Walton and Billy Durst. Honorary pallbearers are James O’Mary, Fred Frickie and Jimmy Watts.
Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
