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Dec. 11, 1929 – May 18, 2015

NATCHEZ — Services for Billy Ray Aldridge, 85, of Natchez, who died Monday, May 18, 2015, at his residence, will be at 2 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Campbell officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Aldridge was born Dec. 11, 1929, in Norphlet, Ark., the son of Lee Overton Aldridge and Jewell Elaine French Aldridge Knipp.

Mr. Aldridge had a love for music and woodworking. He always used his inventive nature to build games and toys for his children and grandchildren. He had a genuine love for family and entertaining and instantly filled any room with laughter and happiness.

Mr. Aldridge was a dedicated father of six and husband to the love of his life, Betty. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, John Knipp; one brother, Lee Aldridge; and one son, Stanley Lee Aldridge.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Betty Aldridge; five children, Lynda O’Quinn and husband, Luther, of Church Hill, Janet “Skeeter” Loy and husband, Tim, of Fletcher, N.C., Bubba Aldridge and wife, Karla, and Lisa McGarry, all of Natchez, and Velvet Nelson and husband, Bubba, of Byram; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Benjamin Joiner, David Joiner, Matthew Loy, Phillip Loy, Clint McGarry and Adam Dunn.

The family extends thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Acre Day School or to the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.