Vardaman
Funeral Home
Pryor Funeral Home
Visitation
Friday, February 3, 2023, 4-7 pm, Jesus is Lord Church, Vardaman
Service
Saturday, February 4, 2023, 12 pm, Jesus is Lord Church, Vardaman
Obituary
Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on February 1, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Sergeant(Ret) Billy Ray Havens, age 63 , retired member of the MS Army National Guard, who had served within Co. B, 223rd Engineer Battalion has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
Obituary, visitation, and service details:
Vardaman—Billy Ray “Bill” Havens, 63, passed away at his home in Vardaman on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Born October 30, 1959, in Coffeeville, he was the son of the late Louis Allen Havens and the late Sylvia Lorene Langham Havens. Bill attended Bruce High School, and worked in maintenance with SLM. He enjoyed being outside, and he could usually be found out working in his garden. He also loved to be in the woods hunting or on the water fishing. He loved classic cars and cooking, and was always helping others whenever he could. Above all, his family meant the most to him. He cherished the time spent with all of them, and his memory will be forever held in their hearts.
Pryor Funeral Home is honored to serve the Havens family.
A Funeral Service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 12:00pm at Jesus is Lord Church in Vardaman. There will also be a visitation on Friday, February 3, 2023, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at the church. Bro. Johnny Davidson will be officiating, with interment to follow at Jesus is Lord Church Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Collins Smith, Bo Smith, Trent Hamilton, Tim Skinner, Stephon Hale, and Waylon Logan.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his brothers, Louis Havens, Keith Havens, and Donald Havens, along with Jerry Wiggs and Bill Fleming.
He leaves behind his sons, Jason Havens of Woodland and Cody (Emma) Havens of Vardaman; brothers, Louis Havens, Keith (Deanna) Havens, and Donald Havens, all of Vardaman; sister, Linda (Bro. Johnny) Davidson; and grandchildren, Megan (Luke) Fisackerly, Tanner Havens, and Justin Stegall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Sylvia Havens; daughter, Tammy Lynn Havens; and nephew, Greyson Cross.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at pryorfuneralhome.com