William “Billy” Childers, 59, passed away on Sunday, June 14, at his home. Billy was blessed to have so many family members and lifelong friends who loved and admired him. He had the gifts of being strong, resilient, and robust, and he was also generous, compassionate, and authentic. He loved to meet people and always made a new friend or left an impression wherever he went. He loved to give his family and friends gifts, mementos, and nicknames, and many have become lifelong trademarks. He had a zest for life, and he loved the outdoors, the beach, art and music, writing poetry, and all types of sports. He was a natural athlete starting from his very young years, through high school, college, and beyond, playing all kinds of sports. He had a passion for competitiveness and cherished the comradery of being on a team, especially his rugby team. He loved everything about it, the strategy, the fitness required, and the physical contact – but mostly all the people he met and the experiences he had both on and off the pitch. He was a member of the Huntsville Rugby Club and played the sport for 20+ years. He was team captain of the club in 2000 when they won The South and took 3rd in the nation. He was a founding member of the Twickenham Old Boys Rugby Club. He also helped coach his son’s various baseball teams through the years and gave kicking lessons to high school football players, just for fun! Billy will be truly and deeply missed, but the many wonderful memories and his triumphs will live on.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Wayne Childers and Betty Joyce Childers. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Childers; children, Megan Jo Ryan and husband, Chris, Kobi Mathis Childers, William Chance Childers, and Daisy Rhys Childers; grandchildren, Charlotte Elizabeth Ryan, Jackson David Ryan, and Clara Grace Ryan; sister, Elizabeth “Sissy” Spiegel and husband, Robert Jr.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann and Jim Fox; nieces and nephews, Joshua Hall (Anna), Julia Rucki (Stephen), Robert Spiegel III (Kelli), and Erin Oglesby (Patrick).
Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow in the chapel with Pastor Russ Gipson officiating.
Memorials may be made to UAB Neurosurgery for Brain Cancer Research at the following: https://go.uab.edu/neurosurgerybraintumorresearch or please make checks payable to UAB Neurosurgery, and mail to UAB Records, AB 1230, 1720 2nd Avenue S, Birmingham, AL, 35294.
