Billy Cotton was born on the Fourth of July, 1939, to Denzel Byron and Mabel Turner Cotton in Williamson County, Tennessee. He passed away February 11, 2003 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 63 years of age.
He attended school in Franklin, Tennessee before entering the Navy. Mr. Cotton returned to Franklin working as a glazer, later owning several different businesses. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Cotton is preceded in death by his father, Denzel Byron Cotton, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Lois Cotton; two sons: Steven Alan Cotton of Hermitage, Tennessee and Jasper Lee "Jay" Cotton of Madison, Tennessee; mother, Mabel Cotton of Dickson, Tennessee; a brother, Byron (Susan) Cotton of Dickson; sisters: Joyce (Billy) Bizzell, College Grove, Tennessee, Elaine (Boyd) Beard, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, Carolyn (Dale) Qualls, Dickson, and Annette Davidson of Columbia, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Eulogy February 13, 2003
Billy was the second of the six children born to his parents, Mabel and Denzel Cotton. His mother said he was a happy boy. She often told of Byron and Billy following their grandfather around the family farm, and losing their shoes in the mud. This happy boy grew into an adventurous teenager. Billy joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17 taking his brother with him. Billy enjoyed his four-year in the service. He saw new places and experienced life away from home.
When Billy came back home to Middle Tennessee, he never left again. Home was important to Billy. He found a soul mate in his wife, Lois. They married almost forty years ago. They were blessed with two fine sons, Steven and Jay. Billy enjoyed his family, especially when he had time to swim and play.
Billy never took himself or life too seriously. He found the humor in life even when the joke was on him. He took delight in life and in those around him. He told everyone he came in contact with, that he had been to Jared's to buy Lois' Christmas present. Billy knew a good joke.
The first time I met Billy, he found something to laugh about. Whether he was laughing at my car or my politics, it was always good-natured and in fun. Laughter was a big part of his life and he laughed at himself as much as he did others.
Billy had a rich and full life. He followed his dreams and tried his hand at different careers. He enjoyed working around people the most. He loved being of service to others. Billy never met a stranger. He was very much a people person. He loved to work and always had a new project. He and Lois remodeled many of their homes. Lois became an expert mover by just following Billy from project to project.
During the last few years Billy and Lois found a home at Cuba Landing. Lois enjoyed fishing and Billy dreamed up new projects. When Billy realized his working days were over, he began giving his junk away. He said, he wanted to be remembered and he knew that if people were using his tools they would be thinking of him. Billy was at peace with the idea of dying and knowing that he left this world a better place.
Billy was the anchor of our family. He was always there when you needed him. He was dependable and consistent. He loved his family, and we loved him, very much.
He attended school in Franklin, Tennessee before entering the Navy. Mr. Cotton returned to Franklin working as a glazer, later owning several different businesses. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Cotton is preceded in death by his father, Denzel Byron Cotton, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Lois Cotton; two sons: Steven Alan Cotton of Hermitage, Tennessee and Jasper Lee "Jay" Cotton of Madison, Tennessee; mother, Mabel Cotton of Dickson, Tennessee; a brother, Byron (Susan) Cotton of Dickson; sisters: Joyce (Billy) Bizzell, College Grove, Tennessee, Elaine (Boyd) Beard, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, Carolyn (Dale) Qualls, Dickson, and Annette Davidson of Columbia, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Eulogy February 13, 2003
Billy was the second of the six children born to his parents, Mabel and Denzel Cotton. His mother said he was a happy boy. She often told of Byron and Billy following their grandfather around the family farm, and losing their shoes in the mud. This happy boy grew into an adventurous teenager. Billy joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17 taking his brother with him. Billy enjoyed his four-year in the service. He saw new places and experienced life away from home.
When Billy came back home to Middle Tennessee, he never left again. Home was important to Billy. He found a soul mate in his wife, Lois. They married almost forty years ago. They were blessed with two fine sons, Steven and Jay. Billy enjoyed his family, especially when he had time to swim and play.
Billy never took himself or life too seriously. He found the humor in life even when the joke was on him. He took delight in life and in those around him. He told everyone he came in contact with, that he had been to Jared's to buy Lois' Christmas present. Billy knew a good joke.
The first time I met Billy, he found something to laugh about. Whether he was laughing at my car or my politics, it was always good-natured and in fun. Laughter was a big part of his life and he laughed at himself as much as he did others.
Billy had a rich and full life. He followed his dreams and tried his hand at different careers. He enjoyed working around people the most. He loved being of service to others. Billy never met a stranger. He was very much a people person. He loved to work and always had a new project. He and Lois remodeled many of their homes. Lois became an expert mover by just following Billy from project to project.
During the last few years Billy and Lois found a home at Cuba Landing. Lois enjoyed fishing and Billy dreamed up new projects. When Billy realized his working days were over, he began giving his junk away. He said, he wanted to be remembered and he knew that if people were using his tools they would be thinking of him. Billy was at peace with the idea of dying and knowing that he left this world a better place.
Billy was the anchor of our family. He was always there when you needed him. He was dependable and consistent. He loved his family, and we loved him, very much.
Billy Cotton was born on the Fourth of July, 1939, to Denzel Byron and Mabel Turner Cotton in Williamson County, Tennessee. He passed away February 11, 2003 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 63 years of age.
He attended school in Franklin, Tennessee before entering the Navy. Mr. Cotton returned to Franklin working as a glazer, later owning several different businesses. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Cotton is preceded in death by his father, Denzel Byron Cotton, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Lois Cotton; two sons: Steven Alan Cotton of Hermitage, Tennessee and Jasper Lee "Jay" Cotton of Madison, Tennessee; mother, Mabel Cotton of Dickson, Tennessee; a brother, Byron (Susan) Cotton of Dickson; sisters: Joyce (Billy) Bizzell, College Grove, Tennessee, Elaine (Boyd) Beard, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, Carolyn (Dale) Qualls, Dickson, and Annette Davidson of Columbia, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Eulogy February 13, 2003
Billy was the second of the six children born to his parents, Mabel and Denzel Cotton. His mother said he was a happy boy. She often told of Byron and Billy following their grandfather around the family farm, and losing their shoes in the mud. This happy boy grew into an adventurous teenager. Billy joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17 taking his brother with him. Billy enjoyed his four-year in the service. He saw new places and experienced life away from home.
When Billy came back home to Middle Tennessee, he never left again. Home was important to Billy. He found a soul mate in his wife, Lois. They married almost forty years ago. They were blessed with two fine sons, Steven and Jay. Billy enjoyed his family, especially when he had time to swim and play.
Billy never took himself or life too seriously. He found the humor in life even when the joke was on him. He took delight in life and in those around him. He told everyone he came in contact with, that he had been to Jared's to buy Lois' Christmas present. Billy knew a good joke.
The first time I met Billy, he found something to laugh about. Whether he was laughing at my car or my politics, it was always good-natured and in fun. Laughter was a big part of his life and he laughed at himself as much as he did others.
Billy had a rich and full life. He followed his dreams and tried his hand at different careers. He enjoyed working around people the most. He loved being of service to others. Billy never met a stranger. He was very much a people person. He loved to work and always had a new project. He and Lois remodeled many of their homes. Lois became an expert mover by just following Billy from project to project.
During the last few years Billy and Lois found a home at Cuba Landing. Lois enjoyed fishing and Billy dreamed up new projects. When Billy realized his working days were over, he began giving his junk away. He said, he wanted to be remembered and he knew that if people were using his tools they would be thinking of him. Billy was at peace with the idea of dying and knowing that he left this world a better place.
Billy was the anchor of our family. He was always there when you needed him. He was dependable and consistent. He loved his family, and we loved him, very much.
He attended school in Franklin, Tennessee before entering the Navy. Mr. Cotton returned to Franklin working as a glazer, later owning several different businesses. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Cotton is preceded in death by his father, Denzel Byron Cotton, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Lois Cotton; two sons: Steven Alan Cotton of Hermitage, Tennessee and Jasper Lee "Jay" Cotton of Madison, Tennessee; mother, Mabel Cotton of Dickson, Tennessee; a brother, Byron (Susan) Cotton of Dickson; sisters: Joyce (Billy) Bizzell, College Grove, Tennessee, Elaine (Boyd) Beard, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, Carolyn (Dale) Qualls, Dickson, and Annette Davidson of Columbia, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Eulogy February 13, 2003
Billy was the second of the six children born to his parents, Mabel and Denzel Cotton. His mother said he was a happy boy. She often told of Byron and Billy following their grandfather around the family farm, and losing their shoes in the mud. This happy boy grew into an adventurous teenager. Billy joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17 taking his brother with him. Billy enjoyed his four-year in the service. He saw new places and experienced life away from home.
When Billy came back home to Middle Tennessee, he never left again. Home was important to Billy. He found a soul mate in his wife, Lois. They married almost forty years ago. They were blessed with two fine sons, Steven and Jay. Billy enjoyed his family, especially when he had time to swim and play.
Billy never took himself or life too seriously. He found the humor in life even when the joke was on him. He took delight in life and in those around him. He told everyone he came in contact with, that he had been to Jared's to buy Lois' Christmas present. Billy knew a good joke.
The first time I met Billy, he found something to laugh about. Whether he was laughing at my car or my politics, it was always good-natured and in fun. Laughter was a big part of his life and he laughed at himself as much as he did others.
Billy had a rich and full life. He followed his dreams and tried his hand at different careers. He enjoyed working around people the most. He loved being of service to others. Billy never met a stranger. He was very much a people person. He loved to work and always had a new project. He and Lois remodeled many of their homes. Lois became an expert mover by just following Billy from project to project.
During the last few years Billy and Lois found a home at Cuba Landing. Lois enjoyed fishing and Billy dreamed up new projects. When Billy realized his working days were over, he began giving his junk away. He said, he wanted to be remembered and he knew that if people were using his tools they would be thinking of him. Billy was at peace with the idea of dying and knowing that he left this world a better place.
Billy was the anchor of our family. He was always there when you needed him. He was dependable and consistent. He loved his family, and we loved him, very much.
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