Billy Joel Tompkins

Billy Joel Tompkins, 61, of Decatur, Alabama born on June 20, 1964, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, after a courageous battle with renal cell carcinoma at Decatur Morgan Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur, AL with a funeral service to follow with Brad Eades officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing. After the conclusion of service, Joel will be laid to rest at Franklin Memorial Gardens in Russellville, AL with Shane McGregor officiating the burial.

Joel was born in Russellville, AL to Billy and Faye Tompkins. Joel graduated from Russellville High School in 1982. He then studied at The University of North Alabama where he graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial chemistry and a minor in mathematics. He then began his career at 3M Guin in July of 1989 where he worked for several years before transferring to 3M Decatur where he was currently employed and completed his 36 years of service as a process engineer.

During his career with 3M, he was privileged to experience many domestic and international travels. He took great pride in his work and found real purpose in the career he loved. Joel made many lifelong friends from his time at 3M both in Guin and Decatur.

On May 5, 1990 Joel married Suzanne Hazle, and they recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. He was a devoted husband, son, son-in-law, and most of all a fun-loving uncle to his nieces.

Joel was baptized at a young age, and he was involved with Vintage Faith Church and its members. Joel loved spending time on the water – fishing, boating, hunting seashells and arrowheads. When he wasn’t spending time on the water, he was cheering on the Auburn Tigers. He enjoyed attending Auburn football and basketball games, where he was their number one fan.

Joel is survived by his wife Suzanne Hazle Tompkins, mother Faye Smith Tompkins, father-in-law and mother-in-law Harold and Lynda Hazle, brother-in-law Timothy Hazle, his nieces Kelsey (Jared) Nichols and Kaitlin (Adam) Gonia, his four-legged daughter Roxie, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Joel is preceded in death by his father Billy Lee Tompkins, his paternal grandparents, his maternal grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers will be Tom Davis, Timothy Hazle, Tori Kirk, Tyler Newton, David Smith, and Mark “Yogi” Welborn. Honorary pallbearers will be Tore Derolf, Allen Newton, Wayne Spillers, and Darren “Alf” Welborn.

The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Neel Roberts and staff, Dr. Curtis Clark and nurse Terri Jones, the entire staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the entire staff at Decatur Morgan Hospital for all their passionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, or Decatur Animal Services.