William Charles Hudgins Sr.

William Charles (Bill) Hudgins, Sr., passed away on the morning of July 11, 2015 at his home. Billy was born Jan. 8, 1940 in Rosedale, Miss. to Charlie George and Thelma Mae (Gober) Hudgins and he was welcomed into Heaven by his parents and his grandson, Dustin Heath Tanksley, along with two beloved Boston Terriers: Elvis and Presley. He grew up in Greenville, Miss. and attended and graduated from Greenville HS after which he enrolled in junior college. He helped start one of the first true Rock n Roll bands, “Great Balls of Fire” and he toured all of the area having opened for many well known musicians like Carl Perkin, Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Cash just to name a few. In January, 1959, he married the love of his life, Jo Ann Scott, after meeting her at a roller skating rink in 1958 as he worked on river boats on the Mississippi. He lived in Tallulah, LA for 23 years after which he moved to Texas and was a resident here for 33 years. While in Tallulah, he served as a deacon at Parkview Baptist church where he faithfully attended and sang. Billy worked as an auto technician his whole life and the only thing he loved more than working on cars was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed making people laugh as well as getting to demonstrate to anyone that telling a good story was his talent. He was a laid back man who was loyal to a fault, generous beyond belief and a steadfast rock of ever-present support to his family. Billy never saw, or said, the worst in others-he only made sure to be kind of person he knew others could be: honest, hard working, kind, sweet with endless patience and consideration. He was a loving husband, honored father, devoted Popsy, cherished mentor and trusted friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Bill leaves to cherish his legacy his wife, JoAnn Hudgins of Rockwall; children: Rhonda H. Tanksley and husband, Randy of Mesquite, Kathy H. Dunigan and husband, Matt of Rockwall, William (Billy) Hudgins, Jr. of Wylie; grandchildren: Kimi Gray, Ryan Tanksley, Dane, Madison, and Dolan Dunigan, Morgan and Caitlann Hudgins; great grandchildren: Dustin T. Tanksley, Mica Oliver, Peyton Tanksley and Charlotte Gray; sisters, Joan H. Crews and Rita H. Crews, many nieces, nephews, brothers in law, Tommy Crews and Walter (Scotty) Scott, Jr., sisters in law, Helen White, Linda Parker and Tommie Burchfield, extended family and a host of friends as well as his Boston Terrier, Beaux, who brought him great joy. A celebration of life will be held at a later date by the family. In memory of Bill’s generosity, memorials to your favorite organization can be made in his name.