Billy Gene Bratcher

Billy Gene Bratcher, 81, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2016 at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford. Born in Blytheville, Arkansas, on January 2, 1935 to Fred and Elmer (George) Bratcher, Bill was a lifelong resident of Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Humes High School, and at 19 joined the United States Army where he served his country for seven years from 1954 to 1960 with a stint in Korea. He later served as a proud member of the American Legion. He was a professional house painter who enjoyed the dog races, playing billiards, bingo, and puzzles, taking care of his many cats and collecting things. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his oldest brother George of Pensacola, Florida. He leaves behind his youngest brother Johnny of Hernando, Mississippi and sisters Mary Cavallo of Boston, Massachusetts, Shirley Herd of Dennison, Texas, Margaret Varela of Cantonment, Florida and Nancy Howell of Mount Dora, Florida, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved high school sweetheart Faye Black and her family of Coldwater, Mississippi.