William F. "Billy" Burnett

William F. "Billy" Burnett Sr., age 81, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017, at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven, MS.Funeral services for Mr. Burnett will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Batesville. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville. Dr. Tommy Snyder and Rev. John Howell will officiate. Those honored to be Pallbearers will be Luis Fernando Serna, Ivan DeJesus Duran, William Ernest Drake, Rusty Bouchillon, Van Boyd, Dr. Stephen Sullivan, Sgt. Casey Brinkley, Chris Burnett and Stephen "Bubba" Burnett. The Jamie Smith Sunday School Class will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville has charge. Billy was born October 19, 1935 to the late Malcolm D. Burnett and Jennie Kibler Burnett in Batesville, MS. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Billy was a lifelong general contractor. He has previously been a deacon for McIvor Baptist and First Baptist Churches while also serving as a Sunday School Teacher. He found great joy in his woodworks, while making custom furniture and cabinets for family members. Billy also enjoyed boating and fishing with his family. He took great pride in estimating construction projects. But most of all, he cherished spending time with his family. Those he leaves behind to carry on his legacy, include his loving wife of 58 years, Hettie Bouchillon Burnett of Batesville, his children; William F. "Bill" Burnett, Jr. (Renallda) and Lynn Burnett Brinkley (John) both of Batesville, his grandchildren; SSgt. John Shelby Brinkley, Jr. (Angel), Sgt. Casey Ray Brinkley (Heather), Margaret Ruth "Maggie" Brinkley, William F. "Mac" Burnett, III, Abbey Burnett Bridges (Bowen), and 7 Great Grandchildren. Memorial Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 104 Panola Ave., Batesville, MS 38606 or Gideons International, Panola South Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 791, Batesville, MS 38606.