Billy Parham

Billy Wayne Parham, 85, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Oak Tree Manor in Amory. He was born on February 11, 1933 in Monroe County to Nathaniel Green and Evelyn Viola Ross Parham. A lifelong resident of Monroe County, he was a graduate of Hatley High School, attended IJC, and he later earned a business degree from Mississippi State University. He was a Bulldog to the core attending many basketball and football games. After high school, during the Korean Conflict, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy and he was married to Shirley Fowlkes on May 27, 1955. In the late 50’s he began hauling bentonite which was the genesis of Parham Trucking that he owned and operated for over 50 years. Even after retirement, Billy visited the shop to see how well things were running. He loved to travel and he and Shirley would pack the family up on many occasions to take cross-country road trips which were affectionately called their "making memories" trips. Billy loved the water, whether taking cruises, spending time with family at Pickwick Lake or at the river house on the Tombigbee Waterway. In addition, he was an avid outdoorsman spending time hunting, camping, and fishing. Billy was proud to have taught his family how to hunt and was with each of his grandchildren when they killed their first deer. Ingenious, Billy could fix anything or solve any problem that would arise and as an accomplished woodworker, he could build furniture, birdhouses, and the like. His pride and joy was his family being a best friend to his son all the while doting on his daughter that was daddy’s little girl. Billy loved to spoil his grandchildren and would often. He was a member of the Amory Church of Christ. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home in Amory with Mr. Fred Webb officiating. Burial will follow in the Haughton Memorial Park. Survivors include his son, Barry Lynn Parham of Amory; his daughter, Lee Ann Parham Mordecai (Art) of Brandon; his brother, Shirley Ray Parham (Amelia) of Southaven; one sister, Barbara Loden (Sonny) of Amory; 4 grandchildren, Michael Parham Mordecai and Matthew Peyton Mordecai both of Brandon and Garrett Wright Parham and Duston Pickle both of Amory; and a host of nieces and nephews. Special thanks are to be given to Jean Sims, staff of River Place, Oak Tree, and Kindred Hospice nurses. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Fowlkes Parham; and one son, Philip Wayne Parham. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Visitation will begin at noon on Friday and will continue until 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Palmer Home in Columbus or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.