Billy Kennedy Obituary

NETTLETON – A great ole soul whose life was lived in simplicity and peace and whose Christian faith, loyalty to Biblical principles and his service to his Country and family were always evident, has met his Creator. Billy Harold Kennedy died at his longtime Nettleton residence in the late evening of Saturday June 14, 2025. He was 77 years old. Billy was born in Tupelo on Feb. 7, 1948 to the late Clovis Kennedy and Delma Godsey Kennedy. He spent his whole life in the Nettleton area and married the love of his life, Carolyn Estes, at Pine Grove Baptist Church on June 24, 1966, a marriage of almost 59 years. Billy and Carolyn were seldom seen apart. They lived their faith by action and deed. Billy was a founder and leader of the Gospel Quartet, The Trailsmen, which performed for several decades all over the Mid-south and beyond. Music was the ultimate expression of Billy's Christianity and he brought much happiness to many through his singing. He and Carolyn were members of the House of Prayer Baptist Church in Amory. His love of his country was evident by his service in the U. S. Army during Vietnam. He had the honor to serve admirably and was honorably discharged. One of his highlights was driving around the Gold Diggers including Ann Margaret and meeting Bob Hope. Billy worked for Eljer's, Waste Management, MDOT, and retired from the City of Nettleton. An outdoorsman, he loved hunting and working on lawn mowers. He will be missed by a grateful family, many friends and many of God's singers. A celebration of life service with military honors will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with Bro. Phillip Lindsey officiating assisted by Bro. John Hearn. Visitation will be from 12 PM to service time Tuesday only. Burial will take place at Palestine Baptist Church Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 2 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve their friends. Billy is survived by his wife, Carolyn Kennedy; his honorary children, Tammy Gillentine (Michael) of Wren and Julie Powell (Kevin) of Hatley; his brother, Bobby Kennedy (Nancy); in-laws, Sandra Brown (Mike), Sheila Keith (Johnny), Cathy Edwards (Butch) and Paul Estes (Gayla, deceased); and honorary grandchildren, Crystal Cody (Michael), Dee Dee Adams (Chris), Devin Powell, Matt Lyle, and Wendy Culver (Rusty). He was preceded in death by his parents, Clovis and Delma Kennedy; sister, Frances Kennedy, grandson, Bro. James Gillentine; sister-in-law, Gayla Estes; and his in-laws, Murphy and Kate Booth Estes. Pallbearers will be Noah Jones, Braden Jones, Caleb Cody, Michael Cody, Micah Lyle, and Matt Lyle. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Bobo, Larry Plunkett, and Robert Reed. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be posted on Billy's memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com. To send flowers to the family of Billy Kennedy, please visit our floral store.