Fulton – Reverend Billy Jeff Van Winkle, 80, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. He was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas to Grover Van Winkle and Avis Tiner Van Winkle. He graduated from Cleveland High School, St. Louis, MO, and Welch College (formerly Free Will Bible College, Nashville, TN). He was a member of Fulton Free Will Baptist Church, Fulton, MS, where he pastored for 19 years. He was a pastor of churches in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas. He had a burden for missions. He served on the International FWB Mission Board for 12 years and on the Mississippi State Home Mission Board 12 years. He started a FWB church in Murfreesboro, TN. He also sold church pews and furnishings for several years while also pastoring. He enjoyed playing golf, softball, and table games – and was a very proud Pawpaw.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 10, at the Fulton FWB Church with Rev. Glenn Poston and Rev. Michael Hutton officiating. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Masonic Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Hope Morris Van Winkle of Fulton, MS; two daughters: Dr. Faith (Dr. Richard) Anderson of Pensacola, FL, and Charity (Rev. Brian) Gordon of Mathiston, MS; four grandchildren: Jack and Jon Anderson of Pensacola, FL, and Libby and Nate Gordon of Mathiston, MS.
Pallbearers are Steve Wood, Dwight McGee, Joey Hargett, Jamie McDonald, Danny Dill, Tim Palmer, and Eddie McKnatt. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Grimes, Grover Palmer, Terry Harrell, Jim McDonald, and the Hardee’s coffee gang.
Visitation will be Friday, February 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton, and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the Fulton Free Will Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Free Will Baptist International Missions, 5233 Mt. View Rd., Antioch, TN 37011-5002; Welch College, 1045 Bison Trail, Gallatin, TN 37066 or Fulton FWB Church, P. O. Box 501, Fulton, MS 38843.
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