Billie Gene Fell Sr.

Billie Gene Fell Sr. was born on November 5, 1939 to Richard and Rosa (Cagle) Fell. He departed this world on Friday, April 21, 2023, to join his Lord and Savior and his beautiful wife, Bobbie June Hightower Fell, in a heavenly reunion.

Gene was a great man, a war hero, but most of all, he was a good Christian man, great husband, dad, PawPaw, brother and friend to many. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, riding horses, riding motorcycles, camping, hanging out at Jack's and telling his many stories and anyone who knew him will tell you, he was one of the best story tellers.

He joined the National Guard when he was a junior at Phillips High School and went on to enlist in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He served his country and retired in the Special Forces, Green Beret as a medic. Gene served two tours of combat in Vietnam, where he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. His career in the Army took he and his family to live in various places, being stationed in Italy, Alaska, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and California. In 1974, he retired from the Army as a Sergeant Major and returned to Phil Campbell to settle down.

On November 12, 1960 he married the love of his life, Bobbie Hightower. They were married for 52 years before his wife went on to wait for him in heaven for their reunion. During their time together, they were blessed with a son Billy G. Fell, Jr. (Lisha) and a daughter,  Tina Fell Seay (Jeff). He was PawPaw to 4 grandchildren, Chance Fell (Jennifer), Carrie Fell Maddox (Tanner), Tanner Parker and Tiona Seay Estavan (Mitchell) and 7 great-grandchildren, Tristen Fell, Tinlee and Paislee Parker, Zander and Zaxton Maddox and Ridge and RaeLynn Estavan, who survived him at the time of his death. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is survived by sisters-in-law, Sheila Kimbrough (Danny), Mary Fell, and Yvonne Hightower. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Eddie Hightower (Mary Nell) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bobbie; parents, Richard and Rosa Fell; brothers, Edward, Roland, Doug, Frank, Hoyt and Richard Fell; sisters, Maxine Cerra, Odis
Holland and Loraine Fell and father and mother-in-law, Duford and Carrie Hightower.

Gene was a hero to many, but especially his family, friends and all who knew him. Gene was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Phil Campbell, where he had served many years as deacon, youth director, Sunday School teacher and superintendent.

Services will be held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Haleyville, with visitation on Wednesday April 26, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. and his funeral in the chapel on Thursday, April 27,2023 at 11 a.m., with Brother Mark Daniel officiating. Interment will be at Antioch Baptist Church with a military service.  Pallbearers will be Chance Fell, Tanner Parker, Tanner Maddox, Josh Hand, Jacob Kimbrough, Lyle Garrison and Kyle Howard. Honorary pallbearers are Mitchell Estavan, Tristen Fell, Zander and Zaxton Maddox and Ridge Estavan.

The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Morrow and Ashton Wimberly for the great care they have given him through the years and the staff on the 5th floor and ICU at NAMC, especially his favorite niece/nurse, Leiah Howard. Also, a special thanks to Hospice of North Alabama and his nurse Whitney Cole. But, most of all, thank you to everyone who has lifted him and the family up in prayers.