Billy Jim Tucker

NORTHPORT | Billy Jim Tucker, age 78, of Northport, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2014, at Noland Hospital of Tuscaloosa. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at Sunset Funeral Home with Dr. Pat Powell officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and adoring wife of 61 years, Ella Fay Tucker (McCaleb); parents, Robert and Opal Tucker (Dodd); and brothers, Bobby Tucker and Paul Michael Tucker.

He is survived by his brothers, James Tucker (Dorothy Nell) of Winfield and Steve Tucker (Wanda) of Northport; daughters, Paula Hayward (Bill Roberson) of Northport and Janis Junkin (Gary) of Northport; grandchildren, Brian Fleenor (Marcia) of Samantha, Chasity Horton (Devon) of Alabaster, Courtney Blake (Brian) of Hoover, and Matthew Hayward (Jessie Navarro) of Tuscaloosa; great-grandchildren, Montana and Cheyenne Fleenor of Samantha and Gavin and Greyson Horton of Alabaster.Billy was born in Fayette but later moved to Northport with Ella Fay; here he lived out his days, putting all of his time and effort into providing for the futures of his children and their children. He was a generous, hardworking, and devoted family man. Even early on Billy's strong work ethic was evidenced in his excellence in multiple high school sports. When asked about it, he would fondly boast that the Birmingham News (and several others) called him the best quarterback in the state during his junior year when he led Hubbertville to their only state championship in football.Unfortunately his football career was brought to an abrupt end following the tragic loss of his parents. Rather than pursue his selfish football dreams, Billy did something he was better at than football; taking care of his family. He took it upon himself to go to work so that he could raise and provide not only for his own daughters, but also for his younger brothers. After working briefly as a fireman and travelling to Chicago to find work in the automotive industry, Billy eventually found employment at BF Goodrich, where he proudly worked for 43 years, earing the fitting nickname "Overtime Tuck." He made many lifelong friendships working at the plant and playing dominos at the union hall, before finally retiring only to spend another 18 years operating a modest lawn service. Billy was able to again find great pleasure in sports later in life by coaching softball. Any of the men who played for him would hastily affirm his devotion to his teams and to the game itself. His commitment paid off when he led his team to victory in the 1984 Amateur Softball Association National Championship and he was eventually honored by the ASA for his years of service and dedication.For all the greatness he achieved, those nearest to him will remember Billy for his love for his family. He dedicated the last twenty years of his life to caring for an ill wife, so tenaciously that her physicians were in awe at his capacity to care for her. Throughout his life he put his family first and saw to it that he had done everything in his power to ensure happiness and prosperity for his loved ones regardless of the effort required or potential detriment to himself. His immense love and incredible selflessness will be greatly missed.

Pallbearers will be Brian Fleenor, Matt Hayward, Gary Junkin, Devon Horton, Brian Blake, and Matt Kosloff.Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Brian Wilhite, Dr. Scott Kemp, Dr. Sunil Chandra, Dr. Mohammad Azam, Joanna Bundrum, CRNP, DCH 5 North nursing staff, Noland Hospital of Tuscaloosa staff, previous caregivers who helped take care of Ella Fay throughout the years, previous teammates and members of the Alabama ASA, coworkers at BF Goodrich, his treasured domino partners and other members of USW 351L, and his friends and neighbors of Brookmeade subdivision.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America and the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetbrown-funeral.com