Billy Gene Betts, 84 of Columbus, MS passed away, Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 10:00 AM at McBee Baptist Church, Columbus, MS with Bro. Jim Ray officiating.

Mr. Betts was born May 14, 1933, to the late William B. and Eugenia Wells Betts in Lowndes County, MS and lived here most of his life.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a retired airplane mechanic and flight engineer with Eastern Airlines.  He enjoyed building anything and was very creative, he built 2 airplanes, a miniature steam engine, and guitars.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Betts was preceded in death by his brother – Jesse Betts.

Mr. Betts is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doris Holliman Betts; daughters – Laura (David) Hoff, Jacksonville, FL and Betty (Dwayne Vowell, McKenzie, TX; son – William (Pat) Betts, Smithville, NC; sister – Linda Hollowell, Lowndes County, MS; brothers – Harold (Rosemary) Betts, Warner Robins, GA and Tommy (Judi) Betts, Lowndes County, MS; 7 grandchildren – Bobby Betts, Beth Betts, Tyler Hoff, Christopher Hoff, Kristina Buttrey, Michael Vowell, Shaunda Page; 3 great-grandchildren – Arizona Page, Chesney Bell, Aubrey Buttrey and 1 great-great-grandchild – Cambree Bell.

Memorials may be made to McBee Baptist Church Building Fund, 2846 Hwy 50 East, Columbus, MS or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.