Billy Bunch

Billy Bunch
Pelham, Ala.--Kind-hearted and strong until the end, Billy Ray Bunch passed away at home in Pelham, Alabama on Sunday February 9th, 2014. Billy was born in Amory, Mississippi on August 5, 1931 to Grady and Maggie Williams Bunch. The third of six siblings, he developed a love for making things grow which was only surpassed by a deep love and commitment to family. A very thoughtful man, Mr. Billy, as he was known to many, enjoyed helping people regardless of their personal or social circumstances. This belief led him to continue working with the public until his final retirement in May of this year.
Upon graduating as Vice President of his class from Amory High School, Billy enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for four years. Upon discharge, Billy enrolled in the University of Alabama and graduated with a BS degree in Business. He married Joyce Hathcock Bunch and they raised their family in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Billy’s first career was in the insurance profession, working mainly for Metropolitan Life. He was a member of the University Church of Christ and served faithfully as a deacon for many years. In addition to helping raise three sons and a daughter, he always managed to find a plot of land to till and plant, whether it was in a vacant lot in Holt or a piece of land in Alberta. He had a knack for producing peppers and tomatoes. He was also a collector of coins; not as an investment, but simply for the enjoyment of connecting to history.
It was during this time that Billy discovered a second career. While helping his sons with their morning paper routes with the Birmingham News, he realized that he enjoyed the newspaper business. He retired from Metropolitan and became a distributor for the Birmingham News, eventually opening his own distributorship in Alexander City, Alabama. He remained with the News until 2000, when he retired for the second time and moved with his son’s family to Mandeville, Louisiana. Finding retired life boring, he started a part time job with Dollar General in Abita Springs, Louisiana. He was soon appointed assistant manager and worked there until moving back to Alabama. With his fierce blue eyes and his tendency to sing to himself, “Mr. Billy” became a fixture at the Dollar General in Helena, Alabama. He was known to grow his tomatoes and peppers behind the store and there is probably a row of plants there still waiting for him to cultivate.
Billy is survived by his four children, Stephen (Denise), Laurie Alison (Stephen), Scott (Ellen) and Shea (Chrissy). He leaves behind grandchildren Hunter, Stephanie, Monica, Holly, Jordan, Jackson and Caleb. His great-grandchildren are Alexis and Evan. Also surviving is one sister, Mary Lockhart of Amory; and 3 brothers, Earl Bunch of Amory, Austin Bunch of Greenville, NC, and E.J. Bunch of Clearwater, FL.
Billy will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 15th in Hatley, Mississippi at the New Hope Church of Christ. His nephew, Philip Hathcock will perform the service. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time at the church.
The family wishes to thank the staff of UAB Neurology and Oncology, the amazing nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice, Dr. Burt Nabors, Dr. Winfield Fisher and Dr. John Fiveash at the Kirklin Clinic. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Neuro-Oncology Research Fund, UAB Neuro-Oncology Program, 510 20th Street South, FOT Room 1020, Birmingham, AL 35294-3410, Attn: Shirley Gibbs Phone 205-934-1432.