Billy Paul Crossley, 88, of Columbus, MS, passed away, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his residence.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus, MS. Funeral Service will be Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. at Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS with Bro. Tommy Gillon and Bro. Sammy Crawford officiating.  Interment will follow at Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS, with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Crossley was born March 29, 1936, in Vernon, Alabama, to the late Walter N. Crossley and Laura Robertson Crossley. He was of Baptist faith and a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus, MS.  Mr. Crossley was a long time business owner, community leader and philanthropist. He founded Columbus Insurance, chaired the American Red Cross of Columbus, United Way of Lowndes County and Cerebral Palsy telethon, where he raised thousands of dollars for the treatment of affected children. He volunteered at Baptist Memorial Hospital, belonged to the Civitan Club and Kiwanis, was a deacon at Fairview Baptist Church, a veteran of the Mississippi National Guard and an active member of the Gideons. In addition to his parents, Mr. Crossley was preceded in death by his sisters- Flora Mitchum, Louise Hays, and Martha Coley.

Mr. Crossley is survived by his wife- Wanda Fondren Crossley of Columbus, MS; daughters- Greta (Andrew) Bryant, and Heather (Steve) Jordahl; grandchildren- Joseph (Ashlyn) Bryant, Benjamin (Danielle) Bryant, Daniel (Christine) Bryant, and Andrea Cannady; great-grandchildren- Teagan Bryant, Collins Bryant, and Asa Paul Bryant; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Tim Rutledge, Lee Hopper, Buddy Crossley, Phillip Crossley, Tommy Taylor, and Philip Adair. Honorary Pallbearers will be current and former staff of Columbus Insurance, current and former staff of Helping Hands, former members of Magnolia Kiwanis Club, Joe and Betty Jean Gillis, Waymon and Gail Fields, Sam Byrd III, Sandy Sanders Sunday School Class, Golden Triangle Home Builders Association, and Fairview Baptist Church Deacon Body.

Memorials may be made to Helping Hands, 223, 22nd St. N. Columbus, MS, 39701, Fairview Baptist Church Education or Music Ministry, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702, or Gideon's International, Po Box 2174, Columbus, MS, 39704.