Friday, August 16, 2024, God called Billy Ray Towner to his eternal home at the age of 86.

Billy Ray, the son of the late Maeliza and Ben Towner was born on February 22, 1938, in Newton, Mississippi. As a young man Billy Ray moved to Gulfport, MS where he met the love of his life Easter Mae. Billy Ray worked many long and hard years until he retired from Arizonza Chemical Plant. After his retirement he worked a part-time job at Copa Casino as a custodial worker.

Billy Ray was devoted to his family and friends. He loved to drive and work on his Chevy pickup truck, hunting, sharpening his knives, spending his days sitting on the porch, and singing in his gospel group which allowed him to travel all over the south. His favorite thing to do was to eat a nice breakfast at the Waffle House, chew his Doublemint Gum and his Root Beer in the bottle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Ben Jr., Marvin, and Jarvis Towner; two sisters, Goldena Townsend, and Dorothy Stennis; a daughter, Gloria J. McCullum; and a son, Harry Reese and his loving wife Easter Mae Towner..

His memory will be forever cherished by two sisters, Bertha Lee Sims of Flint, Michigan, and Correna Robinson of Gulfport, Mississippi; ten children, Billy Ray Barnes, Delores Towner, David Towner, Oscar Towner, Michael Towner, James Barnes, Mary Rice, Sylvia Jackson, Yvonne Barnes, all of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Phillip (Princess) Reese of Prentiss, Mississippi. He leaves behind a legacy of 36 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

"We are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord." (II Corinthians 5:6)

To view services live: https://pp.events/avM1M2op