Billy Cross, 77, of Lynchburg, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

He was born Sept. 8, 1945, in Blanche, Tennessee, to Morris and Pearl Cross.

Dad is survived by Rebecca (“Tootie” Cunningham), his wife of 57 years, and sons, Kenny (Hope) and Duane (Amanda); sisters, Ruth, Geneva (Joe), and Joyce Ann (Willie); eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

One of 13 children, Dad was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Shields, Joe, Wendle, Thomas, Clay, Charlie, Martha Nell, Peggy, and Faye, in addition to in-laws, Lawrence and Martha Jewel Cunningham.

After graduating from Blanche High School in 1964, Dad attended nursing school and met Mom. They were married on March 18, 1966, and moved to Aberdeen, Mississippi, in May 1967. He and his brother Clay ran the ambulance service in Monroe County. Dad later managed the John Deere dealership in Aberdeen and owned the Parts Plus shop before retiring.

Dad and Mom moved to Lynchburg in March 2022. They planned to live out their days sitting on the porch, with Dad no doubt critiquing the grass-cutting, regaling passersby with reasons why the 4020 was the best tractor ever made, and downing copious amounts of Folgers.

While John Deere green coursed through Dad’s veins throughout the week, his go-to was Memphis wrestling on Saturdays. Now, he tests a long-held theory that you get to hang out with Jackie and Roughhouse Fargo as you shuffle off this mortal coil.

Given a choice, Dad would have instead been a grandfather first. After Duane was born, Mom said, “Oh, he’s a treasure!” Dad’s reply: “Yeah, let’s go bury him.” Nonetheless, blessed with a full head of hair, Dad’s gray was attributed to mainly Kenny’s life decisions. These statements are undisputed facts.

But his grandchildren … they were worth everything Dad wanted from his kids. So the mention of Dylan, Blake, Lacey, Suede, Russ, Jeremy, Peyton, or Reily would bring a smile or well-intentioned ribbing.

Born as the Silent Generation gave way to Boomers, Dad was equal parts salt-of-the-earth and salty. Just as he lovingly cared for patients as an LPN, he provided grace to countless farmers during planting and harvesting seasons.

Never one to seek the spotlight, Dad held a soft spot for widows who bought John Deere mowers. After the sale, he continuously followed up to ensure the equipment was maintained — more often than not, he covered out-of-pocket costs. Then, on many Saturdays, Kenny and Duane mowed yards for those widows, always with the caveat: “Do not accept money from them.” It was a directive from 1 Timothy 5:3 —”Take care of the widows who really need help.”

From a hardscrabble upbringing to a well-earned retirement, Dad kept his old-school mentality and used his waning years to sharpen his whip-smart barbs. If you were never on the receiving end, consider yourself fortunate. However, if you did spar with Dad, the conversation had equal parts reasoning and sass, fueled by his affinity for Bryan hot dogs and Kelly’s chili.

Services were held Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Lynchburg Funeral Home with Pastor Kelly Cunningham officiating. Burial followed at Lynchburg Cemetery.

Dylan Cross, Blake Holley, Suede Shows, Russell Sanders, Jeremy Cross, Brent Smith, Lance Smith, Graham Thompson, and Lane Wiggers served as pallbearers. We considered asking the Vanderbilt football team just so they could let him down again, but that seemed insensitive …

Instead of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center or the Dementia Society of America.

Lynchburg Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cross family.