Billy Wayne Daffron, age 69, died on April 24, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Columbus, Mississippi. Visitation will be at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 1 - 3 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Funeral services will follow at 3 PM with Rev. Sandra DePriest and Bro. Steve Lammons officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing. Billy Daffron was born on May 25, 1943, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the late Vester Daffron and Martha Ruth Duggan. As a small child, Billy's family moved to Columbus and settled in the New Hope community. Billy attended New Hope High School, where he graduated in 1961. Then he attended Mississippi State University, majoring in accounting. Billy married Suzanne Ellis Barrett, also of New Hope, on January 22, 1966. They lived in New Hope, where they raised two children. Billy was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church from childhood. He was baptized and married at Mt. Zion, which played a central role in his life. In 1964, Billy was employed by Western Textile Products Company as an accountant at its Columbus, Mississippi, manufacturing plant. He joined Humboldt Products Corporation in Columbus in 1967 as accountant and treasurer and remained with Humboldt and its affiliates Teknamed Corporation and Boundary Healthcare Products Corporation until their merger with Maxxim Medical in 1992. His last position was Executive Vice President and CFO. He joined American Nonwovens in 1993 as Executive Vice President, where he remained until his retirement in 2005. Throughout his life, Billy cultivated a passion for sports. In high school, he ran track and played both football and basketball. Later in life, he enjoyed pool and golfing. He was also an avid and successful tournament fisherman. Billy Daffron is survived by his wife of over 47 years, Suzanne Daffron, of Columbus, and by his two sisters, Patricia Ruth Daffron Kelly, of West Point, and Doris Vesta Daffron Mansfield, of Mandeville, LA. Billy is also survived by the joy of his life, his two children, Benjamin Eric Daffron, of New York City, and Suzanne Jill Daffron (Timothy) O'Bryant, of Columbus. He considered his children to be his greatest achievement in this life. In addition, he is survived by his two granddaughters, Anna Kate O'Bryant and Emma Frances O'Bryant, both of Columbus, who were his delight and his very heart. Because of a debilitating boating accident 29 years ago, he was unable to actively participate in all their endeavors and activities, but he was always with them in heart and spirit. Pallbearers will be Bobby Brandon, David Dortch, Bill Connor, W.A. Caldwell, Ronnie Colburn, Ray Crane, Will Dupler, Wayne Jones, Henry Dehart, Jessie Sims, Robert McKay, Sonny Cole and Tom Younger. Honorary pallbearers will be Juanice Hayes' Sunday School Class; New Hope High School Class of 1961; and MSU roommates, Don Edgeworth and Lawrence Walters.Extended special family friends include Barbara Caldwell and Barbara Connor. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Building Fund, 1791 Lake Lowndes Rd., Columbus, MS 39702 or Hearts After School Tutoring Program, P.O. Box 8124, Columbus, MS 39705.