Billy died, August 28, 2024, after battling a long illness. He was recently retired from the US Forest Service. Billy graduated from Haywood Tech, with a degree in Forestry. He served as a forester for the majority of his life, most recently as a West Yellowstone Smokejumper for nearly twenty years before becoming the tanker base manager at West for his last years Billy, also a South Carolina State Constable, spent the five months of his off season with his wife in Union, SC tending his Christmas tree farm, managing timber stands as a consultant, providing support to the local drug task force, and spreading his love throughout the Union community. He was always laughing, even during the saddest times, bringing a special light to all of those who had the pleasure of being in his company. Billy jumped at West Yellowstone 1998, 2002-15, and 2021.