Billy Joe Childers

Billy Joe “B.J.” Childers, 88, passed on from this earth on February 22, 2022 at his home in Corinth.

Bill was a native of Corinth and grew up on a farm outside of town. He attended Corinth High School until 1951. He met and married the former Lola Jane Harrison of Corinth in 1957, who were both married for 33 years. He was a member and past Master Mason of Corinth 116 Masonic Lodge, a Hamasa Shriner and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Also, he was Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in March 1953, serving four years as a Jet Engine Mechanic at both Amarillo AFB, Amarillo, TX and Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, LA. He was honorably discharged in March 1957. Bill’s service to our nation continued with a long career with the U.S. Government as an Electronic Technician, and later as an Aviation Radar Technician with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 1960-79, both at the Memphis Airport in Memphis, TN and later the Nashville Airport in Nashville, TN.

He enjoyed his family and friends and especially his solitude, but added some occasional excitement with overnight trips to Tunica, MS to play the slot machines. He was also a frequent visitor to the “all you can eat” food buffet tables at the Casinos. In addition, he loved hot tamales and slug burgers, both a local Corinth favorite.

Bill was preceded in death by his former wife, Jane; his parents, Jack F. Childers and Hazel W. Woods Childers, both native of Corinth, MS; and daughter, Jennifer Lunn (Zak) of Hermitage, TN, formally Jennifer Heughan (Wesley). In addition, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jake “J.C.” Childers, of Corinth, MS; and two sisters, Sue Barnes (John) of Travelers Rest, SC and Martha Faye Lambert (Charles) of Barton, MS.

He is survived by three children, Lieutenant Colonel (USAF Retired) Tim Childers (Marcie) of Gallatin, TN, Scot Childers (Regina) of Goodlettsville, TN, and daughter, Pam Smith (Sherwin) of Donelson, TN; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 5, 2022 at McPeters Funeral Home from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a short service following at 1:00 pm. A private graveside burial ceremony will be the following Monday, March 7, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Hermitage Memorial Gardens in Hermitage, TN. He will be laid to rest along side his wife, Jane Childers.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the Childers family.

Arrangements are under the care of McPeters Inc. Funeral Directors.