Billy Gene Brooks, age 78, and a resident of Chunky, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm at Newton County Funeral Home - North Chapel.

Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation in the funeral home chapel.

Burial will follow in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery with funeral honors provided by the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

Mr. Brooks was born Sunday, March 25, 1945 in Lepanto, Arkansas, moving to Newton County shortly after his birth. He grew up in Newton County and was a graduate of Newton High School. He started his automotive career at an early age, and continued this career for over fifty years after he returned home from his two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, serving his country in the United States Navy. He will be missed by his group of friends whom he had a standing Thursday night card game with. He enjoyed creating various stained glass projects for his house and his loved ones. He also was a very skilled craftsman that was exhibited by his stone house and other stone projects. Enjoying the celebrations of life, he will be remembered for his love of attending and participation at parades with his grandchildren. An avid traveler of places far and near, he was always willing to be the driver for any trip that his family wanted to take. The family takes comfort in knowing that he has now taken his final trip for an eternity of celebrating. Billy Gene Brooks lived life to the fullest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel O'Neal and Mae Terry Brooks; brothers, James Brooks, Sam Brooks, Verdo Brooks, Steve Brooks and John Henry Brooks; sisters, Mabel Barrett, Dot Gibbs, Marie Harrison, Vera McGrew and Alma Brooks.

Survivors include his wife, Mollie Brand Brooks of Chunky; daughters, Tracy Dearing (Michael Wayne) of Newton; Stacy Brooks (David Freeman) of Lake; Mary Martha Churylo (Scott), and Jennifer Morgan (Ken) both of Hickory; son, Bill Johnson, Jr. of Jackson; grandchildren, Shelby Savell (Adam), Benjamin Dearing, Jacob Addy (Abby), Josh Addy, Joey Churylo, Brooke Morgan, Kenlynn Morgan, Hunter Morgan (Ben Rowsey), MacHenry Morgan and Caroline Morgan; four great- grandchildren; brother, Joe Brooks (Wanda) of Lincolnton, NC, and a host of nieces and nephews.