May 24, 1932 – Dec. 18, 2013

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Billy Ray Havard, 81, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at his residence, will be at 2 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Danny Speed, the Rev. Bill Poole, and the Rev. Tim Brown officiating.

Burial will follow in Jersey Settlers Cemetery in Kingston under the direction of Laird Funeral home.

Visitation will be from noon until service time today at the funeral home.

Havard was born May 24, 1932, in Gloster, the son of Tullie Clifton Havard and Euna Bell Poole Havard.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also coached for many years in the Natchez Dixie Youth Baseball Program.

Havard retired from J.M. Jones Lumber Company with 46 years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Marie Havard; four children, Kathy Goldman, Billie Ann Mattox and David Havard, all Natchez, and Kenny Havard, of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Matthew Goldman, Bert Goldman, Tanner Havard, Raleigh Havard, Casey Rodgers, Mary Ann Mize, and Landon Havard; five great-grandchildren, Andrew Goldman, Kenda Marie Goldman, Corbett Mize, Isabella Mize and Ashton Mize; one sister, Julia McIlwain, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Goldman, Bert Goldman, Casey Rodgers, Tanner Havard, Landon Havard, and Greg Thompson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Don Mattox, Chester Davis, Glynn Coleman, George Bunch, Billy Davis, H.J. Dees, David Willard, Jack Sojourner, Allen Brown, Burkes Brown, Leonard McManus, Doug McIlwain, Alton Brown, Jerry Brown, Dale Havard, Josh Galloway, and Eli Washington.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Barbara Dunbar, Mary Frances Havard, Debbie McIlwain, and the staff of Hospice Compassus.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.