Billy Don (Donny) Sherman Jr.

Billy Don Sherman, Jr., better known as Donny, stepped into the presence of the God he loved on Monday afternoon, October 19. Though born in Fort Worth, Texas, March 9, l957, he moved with his family to Nashville in December of l967. He attended Woodmont Elementary School, West Middle School, and Hillsboro High School, graduating in l975. While in school he excelled in academics and athletics, especially in football and track. He was a scholarship football player at UT Martin, playing under head coach George McIntyre, and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He pursued coaching for several years, spending eight years on the staff of the Vanderbilt Commodores. He later worked for the Southwestern Company and then owned his own insurance agency. Donny was always active in Christian pursuits, serving as a deacon and long-standing Sunday School teacher at Woodmont Baptist Church, having been a member for 48 years. He loved his God, his family, and his friends. He had a strong loyalty to his Hillsboro High School peers, serving as the catalyst to their monthly lunch gathering. He further gave a witness in the way he handled his health problems. In the last 25 years, he had metastatic melanoma, multiple operations, radiation, numerous rounds of chemotherapy, three bouts of encephalitis, and three strokes. Yet, through it all he had an indomitable faith and a positive spirit. The apple of his eye was his only daughter, Jordan. He loved, encouraged, and supported her through it all. He was so proud when she finished her nursing degree at Baylor University last year. She set the date of her wedding for October 10 of this year. Though debilitated by the third stroke in December of last year, he willed to live to give her away at the altar to her now husband, Jason Scott. He made it. God was merciful. Donny is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bill Sherman; his daughter and son in love, Jordan and Jason Scott; his sister and her husband, Dr. Debbie Sherman Siktberg and Tim Siktberg; his brother, David Sherman; four nephews, Jonathan and Jackson Siktberg, and Elijah and Jesse Sherman; and one niece, Rachael Sherman. Pall bearers are James Collins, Kim Richardson, Randy Gentry, Milton Francis, Jim Steinhouse, and Jack Robinson, Jr. Honorary pall bearers are Tim Siktberg, Jonathan and Jackson Siktberg, Jason Scott, Eli Sherman and Jesse Sherman, former members of Donny’s Sunday School Class at Woodmont, and the monthly luncheon group of the 1975 Hillsboro class. Our family expresses our deepest appreciation to the staff and administration of Lakeshore Meadow’s Healthcare facility for their excellent care of Donny this last year. A special tribute is due Marie Brown and Terry King for their kindness to Donny. A further expression of gratitude is due to the doctors and staff of the third floor ICU of Saint Thomas West Hospital for their superb care. Our family further expresses gratitude to Dr. David Allen, Dr. James Bomboy, and Dr. Sewa Legha for the excellent medical care they have given him through the years. Visitation for Donny will be at Woodmont Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 21 from two o’clock until four o’clock, seven o’clock until nine o’clock, and an hour before the service on Thursday. The Memorial Service will be at two o’clock on Thursday at the church. Memorial gifts in his honor may be given to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Nashville, 449 Metroplex Drive, Nashville, TN 37221. Visit the online obituary: www.woodlawn-rosch-pattonfh.com