A Tribute to Billy Sheffield

Last updated: May 18, 2019

On Friday, April 19th, William T. “Billy” Sheffield passed away surrounded by his family and close friends.  If what I believe is true, Billy was welcomed at the gates by a host of eclectic characters who were fortunate enough to have been touched by him.

I can’t remember not knowing Mr. Billy. My dear friend the late Linda Alexander Gordon babysat the Sheffield Children during the time that Mr. Billy was Constable and Mrs. Pauline was Justice of the Peace.  I remember him building the original Port A Johns. I remember them getting into the rental business which at the time uncharted territory in this region. Billy Sheffield was a visionary.

He possessed a keen eye for needs in both construction and the private sector. People often need something for a day or a few days and renting makes more sense economically.  I marveled as he branched these businesses out around the Gulf South to places like Canton, the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans. His portfolio of equipment and people grew with each step. Mr. Billy also collected people, starting with his wonderful family who was his greatest accomplishment. If you were friends with Mr. Billy, you always knew that you had an ace in the hole so to speak. His love for people, sense of humor, and unequaled generosity exceeded his physical stature. He and Mrs. Pauline have helped countless people, many quietly, and probably several who didn’t deserve their generosity.

My dear friend Bubba Comans lost his daughter Sherri in a horrible crash on the Mississippi Gulf Coast involving a drunk driver. Mr. Billy insisted on paying for her funeral. He never left his roots in law enforcement and public safety.  Following Katrina, he found out I was making trips to the Coast on behalf of the Governor’s Office. Mr. Billy summoned me to his office. He wanted to know if I had observed any needs that weren’t being addressed. He wanted to make sure that our mutual friend Marvin Curtis, who at the time was Chief of the Mississippi Highway Patrol; had what he needed to take care of his people. He wanted to make sure that firefighters and law enforcement had restrooms and water. His marching orders were to survey these situations and report back. When I did, the needs were addressed immediately.

When we formed the “Back Up the Badge” campaign and later telethon, Mr. Billy was one of the first to make a generous contribution. This committee, chaired by Delbert Hoseman was responsible for getting public safety personnel back to some sense of normalcy as many found themselves homeless, or with extensive damage to their homes.

Several years back, the City made the decision to retire the original Engine#7. Mr. Billy agreed to allow my Sister to make the first bid on it. You see that was the first truck my Dad was assigned to when he became a Firefighter. He served several years riding that truck out of the station on Washington Street. And in a piece of irony, the truck threw a rod the morning of Pop’s funeral as they were taking it to be washed.  It was supposed to be used to carry his casket. To the best of my knowledge, it hasn’t run since. The last I inquired, the decision had been made that the repairs were cost prohibitive. Mr. Billy had a great love and respect for Firefighters also because his son Tal is a retired Captain with the Vicksburg Fire Department. We stood down after the first bid knowing that the truck was in the hands of someone who shared our passion for the history of the Truck and the Department.

A few years back I brought Arkansas based Traditional Championship Wrestling to Vicksburg.  Mr. Billy bought a whole section of tickets. The main theme was the wrestling retirement of Kenn Tate’s wrestling persona Ken Kelly. Like myself, Kenn had been a Warren County Deputy Sheriff. He was also a lifelong friend of the Sheffield family. We saved Kenn’s showdown with my wrestling persona Colonel Tom Parker for last. In true wrestling tradition, Kenn went out on his back at the hands of Ken Massey, Jack Curtis, and myself. I glanced over and Mr.Billy was having a great laugh!  He later told me how much we had entertained himself and his posse. We also discussed how the Auditorium needed to improve its ADA compliance issues. I approached City Hall with Mr. Billy’s backing and the auditorium now has two Handicapped entrances and parking areas.

Mr. Billy hosted the Retired Law Enforcement Officers Reunion at his ranch. He has been a key force in the Annual County School Reunion. I could go on and on about his accomplishments.

Billy Sheffield leaves a legacy of family first along with great friendships. He leaves a legacy of giving and seeking absolutely nothing in return. He leaves a legacy of supporting public safety even when it may be an unpopular issue. Mr.Billy leaves a big pair of shoes that probably can’t be filled. He leaves behind a City and County that will miss his counsel in times of crisis. I personally will miss the occasional phone call from my Ole Partna”, especially on Election Nights. Mr. Billy leaves a huge hole and void in a lot of hearts. He often said, “Bigger is Better”. Go get the Biggest Set of Wings they make My Friend, you’ve earned them!!

Obituary Printed at the Request of the family and with Permission of Glenwood Funeral Home

William T. “Billy” Sheffield, Jr. died Friday, April 19, 2019, surrounded by his family at the Merit Health Medical Center.  He was 76.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in the chapel of Glenwood Funeral Home with Rev. Marvin Curtis officiating, Interment will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5-8 PM and 9:00 AM Tuesday until the hour of the service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Talmadge, Sr. and Myrtle Wilks Sheffield and his sister, Mary Lois Ragland.

Survivors include his childhood sweetheart and later wife of 56 years, Pauline McGuffie Sheffield; his son, Tal Sheffield, III and his wife Mary; his daughters, Sally Sheffield, Suzanne Heggins and husband John, and Tammy Sheffield, all of Vicksburg; his sister, Kay Henderson of Oakland, TN and his five grandchildren, Haley Heggins, Lacey Sheffield, Madison Heggins, Samantha Kelly and Parker Kelley.

A lifelong resident of Vicksburg, Billy graduated from Culkin Academy and attended the Ft. Smith Auction School. He served as a Warren Co. Constable for a number of years and then founded, with Pauline, Sheffield Rentals in 1976.

Billy was a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks #95 in Vicksburg, was a member of the Central Miss. Retired Law Enforcement Officers, was an avid supporter of the University of Southern Miss. Athletic Dept., served as a Colonel on Gov. Paul B. Johnson’s Governor’s Staff and was known as Col. Billy Sheffield Auctioneer.

Billy was kind and generous, but overall, he loved his family. He never met a stranger and loved his country music. He had a beaming smile, a great personality, and a big heart, that you were felt welcomed.

Special thanks are expressed to the Vicksburg Fire Dept., Ralph Landers for his untiring devotion to Billy, Courtney Landers Hauptman for going above and beyond her devotion and care and the entire staff of Merit Health River Region Medical Center.

Pallbearers will be Mike Cook, Rex Pierce, Ralph Landers, Clarence “Shorty” Faulkner, Jimmy Faulkner, Charles “Boom” Johnson, Kelly Hill, Paul Williams, and Carl Harris.

Honorary pallbearers will be Members of the Warren Co. Sheriff’s Dept, Warren Co. Constables, Member’s of the Thursday Night Supper Club, members of the Vicksburg Fire Dept., Henry Zorn, Coach Bill Tate, Bob Hollingsworth, David Williams, Carl Warnock, Carroll Warnock, Ray Cato, Terry Gray, Oscar Barnes, Joe Campbell, Douglas Dick and Dr. Joe Austin and Leon Pugh.

Memorials may be made to the Warren Co. Children’s Shelter, P.O. Box 820174, Vicksburg, MS 39182.