Billy Joe Pugh

Billy Joe “Coach” Pugh passed away April 13th, 2025 at the Hanceville Rehab and Nursing Home. He was born on April 29, 1941 in Thomasville, AL to the late John Pugh and Ada Taylor. He was preceded in death by his first wife of almost 42 years, Brenda Harris, and by his siblings J. B. Pugh, Miriam Hill, Raymond Pugh, Vernon Pugh, Joyce Poole, and Barbara Hicks. He is survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Susan Lyles Pugh; as well as three sons: Bryan (Deonne) of Cullman, AL; Bruce of Phuket Thailand; Brandon (Tracy) of Greenbrier, TN; eight grandkids, Emma (Jake) Griggs; Eli Pugh, both of Cullman; Britt (Elaine) of Franklin, KY; Brooks, Breanna, Brayden, Braxton, and Bridgette of Greenbrier, TN; one great-grandchild, Marlowe Pugh; one brother, Will J. Pugh of Knoxville, TN.

Coach Pugh was a standout athlete at Thomasville High School where he was inducted in 2023 into the school’s sports hall of fame. He was a career educator, teaching in various high schools across the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, retiring from the state of Alabama as a principal, but mostly known as a coach. He coached football for decades, as well as girls’ basketball, boys baseball, ran the Good Hope Little League for over 10 years, track and field, as well as coaching his own kids little league baseball teams, and helping with his grandkid’s teams in his retirement. For this and more he was inducted into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a dedicated church member at Good Hope Baptist Church and Cullman First Baptist, while also serving as a Gideon in the latter years of his life. His love for sports was only surpassed by his love for his family, community, church, and his Savior.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Gideons: https://www.gideons.org/donate

A celebration of life funeral service will be held Thursday April 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Good Hope Baptist Church 90 Good Hope School Rd, Cullman, AL 35057 officiated by Brandon Pugh, Ed Hayes and Tom Richter. Mr. Pugh will lie in state from 12:00 PM until the service time at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends for a visitation Wednesday April 16, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Moss Service Funeral Home Chapel 1901 2nd Ave NW Cullman, AL 35055. Mr. Pugh will be laid to rest at Good Hope Cemetery High School Rd. Good Hope, Alabama. Moss Service Funeral Home directing.