Billie Joe Hughey was born in Anderson County, SC in 1937 the third of ten children. The family moved frequently during Billie’s childhood and eventually settled on Jeter Mountain, North Carolina. Billie left school at the age of fifteen to help support his family, going to work on the Crail Farm. During his early twenties his good friend, Gary Patterson, encouraged Billie to go with Gary to Chicago to attend a diesel trade school. This was an important turning point in Billie’s life that resulted in a long career as a diesel mechanic and business owner. After trade school Billie worked for several years in Chicago and both North and South Carolina. Billie served in the United States Army in 1962 and 1963 and was stationed in Germany.
In 1969 Billie moved to Roswell, New Mexico with his young son, Johnny. Over the many years that Billie lived in Roswell, he was well known in the community as an honest business owner and generous person. Billie enjoyed collecting and restoring Chevy pickup trucks and taking road trips throughout the Southwest and across the country to visit family. Billie loved the Southwest and continued to live there until age 82 when health issues required him to live with his son’s family in Maryland.
Billie deeply loved and was dedicated to his family throughout his life. Billie passed away in Westminster, Maryland on November 11, 2022 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his mother; Willie Mae Hughey, his sister; Bobbie Jean Murray and his brothers; Jack Hughey and Sammy Hughey. Billie is survived by his sisters; Peggy Hughey, Shirley Mills, Patsy Hughey and Becky Martin, his brothers; Ray Hughey and Keith Hughey, his son and daughter in law; Johnny and Wanda Hughey, his grandchildren Emily Mann, Shelby Reed and Graham Hughey and his great grandchildren Sophia and Marigold Hughey.
A funeral service will be held, Saturday December 03, 2022 at two o’clock in the afternoon at The Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service with the Reverend Kevin Parsons officiating. Burial will follow the service at Crab Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Henderson County Honor Guard.
Condolences may be sent to the Hughey family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com, or to 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC. 28792.