Billy Ray Harvill of Columbia, Tennessee

September 23, 1966 - May 6, 2020

A beloved soul was called home, Billy Ray Harvill age 53 passed on May 6, 2020 at home in Columbia, TN, after a day of visiting with loved ones with his family by his side.

Born September 23, 1966 in Maury County, TN, to Howard Kenneth Harvill and Catherine Ann Himes Harvill Emler. Billy attended Glencliff High School, but his fondest memories were hunting and fishing near his home as a young man with friends and family. He enjoyed coon hunting with his grandfather which was of his closest river fishing companions also. He had a gift of knowing the outdoors unlike many people today. He gave the gift of the love of nature to many family members, from everything to digging worms to enjoying a campfire under the stars. He was a man that was more comfortable amongst the forest and its creatures than in gatherings of people. His lessons have been learned and will continue to be shared with many of the younger generations.

Genesis 1:29-30. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Billy believed that each time he went hunting or fishing, his bounty for the trip was to provide nourishment for the body. He was known to clean, prepare and cook meals beside the stream that provided the blessing. He wasted no time preparing his blessings to cook or freeze for future meals. He was a true provider.

Billy was an accomplished carpenter and rock mason. He was a quiet soul but tried to reconnect with loved ones in his final days. He enjoyed his computer poker games and often challenged family to play. Billy took pride in living a simple life but was quick to lend a helping hand to those that asked. He accomplished many things in life without much acknowledgement of the written word, he was a hands-on kind of guy. He was a man of few words, but he believed that his word was his bond. In his later years he would connect with loved ones via Facebook and chat pages. He would often remark fondly about reconnecting with loved ones by video streaming since his health would prevent him from visits.

Survivors include siblings: Michael Anthony Emler of Columbia, Virginia Louise Ragsdale (Elton) of Columbia, John Thomas Emler (Jessica) of Melbourne FL, Millicent Marie Ramsey Harvill of Mt. Pleasant, Howard Kenneth Harvill of Summertown, Ranona Harvill Boyd of Nashville, Charlotte Harvill Lyles (Robert) of Columbia; stepmother Daisy Runions Harvill of Nashville; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia, at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 17th; with a Service following at 4:00 PM with Eric Nichols officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend.

Billy was preceded in death by his wife Rhonda Fombie Harvill, in addition to his mother and father.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Compassus Living Foundation at compassuslivingfoundation.org.