Billy Neill was born on Aug. 15, 1933, the son of the late Hyram W. and Willie Lee Hosea Neill. On Feb. 14, 1953, he was united in marriage to Reba Nell Young, who survives.
Mr. Neill lived in Hardin County all of his life and was owner and operator of Neill’s Grocery Store in the Burnt Church community for 22 years. He later worked on the road crew for the State of Tennessee Highway Department for 25 years. He was a member of the Campground United Methodist Church in Savannah and served as a past board member of the Tennessee Valley Electric Company. Mr. Neill enjoyed gardening, baking, caring for all his neighbor’s dogs and he loved bluegrass music.
Mr. Neill departed this life on June 21, at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital, at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 6 days.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Reba Neill of Savannah, he is survived by two daughters, Marion Neill Coker and husband Larry of Jackson, Tenn., and Tammy Neill Boyd and husband Jeff of Savannah; four grandchildren, Starla Schaaf and her husband Chuck, Allen Coker, Ike Boyd and Allie Boyd; one great-grandson, Mason Schaaf; and two sisters, Kate Nowlin and Karen Jennings, both of Savannah.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandchild, Chasity Coker and one brother, David Neill.
Services were held on Tuesday, June 24, at 1 p.m., at Campground United Methodist Church in Savannah with John Pennington and J.W. Vanhoose officiating. Burial followed in the Campground Cemetery at Savannah.