Billy Thomas Jolly of Union passed away Thursday, June 15, 2017, at home in Neshoba County.  He was 86.

He was born July 26, 1930, the son of Johnny Coleman Jolly and Leona Bates Jolly of Philadelphia, MS.  He attended Zephyr Hill High School.  He was a retired carpenter and contractor working in Jackson for most of his career.  He enjoyed hunting and was an avid sportsman. He was an honored father and grandfather who nurtured and mentored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He extended his love to many in the community who called him pawpaw. He was a member of Linwood Baptist Church, where he served on the building committee and taught Sunday school.  He was a former member of McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl and a long-standing member of the Woodmen of the World Fraternity.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavennie Rushing Jolly; daughter, LaQuita Speer; grandson, Joshua Speer; his parents, Johnny Coleman Jolly and Leona Bates Jolly; sisters, Bertha Shults, Cola Olive, Ina Lee Clark and Sadie Barnes; brothers; Harman Jolly, Herman Jolly, Roy Jolly, Travis Jolly and Alfred Jolly.

Survivors include daughter, Cynthia Alford (Garry) of Woodbury, Tenn.; daughter/granddaughter, Candice Gore (Mark) of Union; sons, Thomas Jolly (Sandy) and Randy H. Jolly (Becky), both of Vicksburg; sister, Iva Jay Beckham of Philadelphia; brother, Harvey Jolly of Washington; 13 grandchildren, Rebekah Grider (Adam) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Stephanie Alford of Woodbury, Samuel Alford (Jennifer) of Woodbury, Christopher Alford (Kelsey) of Murfreesboro, Shane Jolly of Pelahatchie, Jennifer Sparks (Greg) of Vicksburg, Amanda Vibelius of Tsale, Ariz., Sara Jones (Gabriel) of Houston, Texas and Leigh Jolly of Vicksburg; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Ciezkowski, Madison Ciezkowski, Zachary Alford, Kaylin Alford, Caleb Sparks, Lane Sparks, Gwen Fredericksen, Wyatt Gore, Weston Gore, Waverleigh Gore, Wysteria Gore, Brittney Gore, Shelby Gore, Brandon Merritt, Hunter Merritt, Ty Heigle and Madeline Jones; six great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Sunday, June 18, in the McClain-Hays Chapel. 

Interment followed with graveside services at Linwood Baptist Church Cemetery.  Brother Mike Skinner officiated the services. 

Pallbearers were Shane Jolly, Samuel Alford, Christopher Alford, Brandon Merritt, Hunter Merritt, Wyatt Gore, Weston Gore and Adam Grider.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or the American Heart Association.

Online guestbook is available at mcclainhays.com.