Rev. Billy Heady

TAMMS, Ill. -- The Rev. Billy Don "Preacher" Heady, 68, of Tamms died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at his home.

He was born Feb. 23, 1935, in Okmulgee, Okla., son of Floyd and Lillian Taff Heady. He and Cheryl Browning were married March 16, 1973.

Rev. Heady was a member of Trinity Assembly of God Church in Olive Branch, Ill., where he had served as pastor. He had also pastored at Sandusky Assembly of God Church. He had been an evangelist in the earlier years of his ministry.

After retiring from pastoring, he served as supply pastor in area churches and funeral home chaplain. He worked out of Labor Local 773.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, April Dawn (Freddie) Lacey of Olive Branch, Debra Julian of Geronimo, Okla.; a son, Billy Paul Heady of Layton, Utah; a brother, the Rev. Jack Heady of Inverness, Fla.; a sister, Betty Delores Heady of Fredericktown, Mo.; father-in-law, Clearn Browning of Olive Branch; eight grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by a son, Brent Eric Heady Jan. 25, 1993; two brothers; and a sister.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Trinity Assembly of God Church in Olive Branch.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Dean Heady and the Rev. Mark Thrasher officiating. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery, with full military honors by VFW Post 8891.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.