Billy was born in Montgomery in 1928 to Simon Bernard Farshee of New Orleans, LA, and Artie Bates of Rockford, AL. In 1946, he enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1948. In 1951, he married Frances Joyce Leonard. They were married 61 years. Billy worked for L&N Railroad (later CSX) for 43 years.
He enjoyed art his entire life. He delighted his children and grandchildren by drawing cartoon characters and creating handcrafted wooden toys. Later in life, he dabbled in acrylic paints before he moved his focus to oil painting. As a self-taught artist, he could frequently be found painting animals, landscapes, seascapes, mountain scenes, and floral arrangements. He was a member of the Elmore County Art Guild where he won several awards for his paintings. He had a great love of music, and during his younger years, he was known to play the guitar and sing.
One of his favorite stories was when he lived next door to Hank Williams, Sr. Hank would occasionally borrow Billy’s guitar. Hank would sometimes walk with Billy and his sister Mary to the movie theater; where Hank would perform.
Billy was a good listener and never met a stranger. He would often make friends with anyone who was lucky enough to be standing near him. He was a family man and was not afraid of hard work to provide for his family. He worked two jobs to allow his wife to stay home with the children. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and children.
His love of family was passed down through the generations. The closeness of the family was often noticed and commented upon. During his last hospitalization at the VA Hospital, he was constantly visited by his children and grandchildren. He was proud to tell the nurses that his family was solid as a rock.
Billy was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, and twin sisters Mary Catherine Farshee and Emma Frances Farshee. He is survived by his four children: Joyce Lynn Gray (Lee Russell Gray); Mary Ellen Farshee; William Bernard Farshee, Jr.; and Lori Ann Farshee.; four grandchildren: Alyssa Lynn Godfrey (Kenneth Ryan Godfrey), Carly Farshee Hill (Tim Hill), Anna Joy Farshee, and William Robert Farshee; and four great grandchildren: Michael Pierson Hill, Tristan Graydon Godfrey, Charles Clarke Hill, and Elodie Layne Godfrey.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Leak Memory Chapel at 10:00 am. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Farshee family.
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