Billy H. Messick, age 91, of Bell Buckle passed from this life Friday, May 13, 2022 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Funeral service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, in the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Billy Joe Calvert officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 5 p.m.
Burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Hazel Cemetery in Bell Buckle.
Mr. Messick was born July 23, 1930 in Rutherford County to the late Clarence Wesley Messick and Beulah Elizabeth Pearson Messick. He was a graduate of Bell Buckle High School and served his country in the Army during the Korean War. When he returned home, he worked for the Carnation Milk Plant and then was an Inspector for USDA for 30+ years, retiring in 1995. Billy was a volunteer at Bell Buckle Fire Department, and was a lifelong farmer. He loved cattle, walking horses, stock dogs and coon hounds. He adored his grandchildren, The Walking Horse Celebration, attending cattle sales, whittling, and was a member of Bell Buckle Church of Christ.
Mr. Messick is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sherry M. Messick; children, Karen Messick of Mississippi, Ashley (Joe) Hite of Winchester, Knox (Amelia) Messick of Morrison; grandchildren, Jeannie Hite, Mia Messick; step-grandchildren, Ben Hite, and Joedan Hite; sister, Debby (Jim) Matthews of Murfreesboro; brother, Jimmy Messick of Bell Buckle; brother-in-law, Dr. Jim Cunningham of Tullahoma; several nieces and nephews; and two special stock dogs, Duece and Ella.
Along with his parents Mr. Messick was preceded in death by sister; Emily Cunnigham; brother, Eddy Lee Messick; and first wife, Mary Cecil Crosslin Messick.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN, 38105-9959.
