Billy Eugene Palmer, 86, of Fayetteville, passed away June 3, 2017 while in hospice care of heart failure.

Bill retired from the United States Air Force in 1969 after 22 years of service. He began his Air Force career as an airplane mechanic and went on to be a special agent in the OSI. He then went on to work with the Clayton County Police Department, Henry County Police Department, and retired from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department in 1994.

Bill devoted much of his free time to coaching little league baseball and football, including several years as a Blackhawk Football coach. Bill was a gun carrying Republican who loved to travel and play numerous sports himself, including softball, bowling and golf, to name a few.

Billy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dianne Sullivan Palmer; children, Dale Palmer Pruitt, Joi Palmer Jones, and Ted Palmer; grandchildren, Jennifer Pruitt Moore (Jim), Kirk Palmer Pruitt (Ashlee), and Ruth Dianne Jones; and great-grandchild, Siler Sullivan Moore.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 2 p.m., at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with Dr. Jim Thomas officiating. The family received friends on Monday, June 5, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.