Billy James Norman, Sr.
On September 30, 2021, at 3 a.m. in the morning, Billy Sr. peacefully slipped away surrounded by Angels, accepting his wings and entering through the golden and eternal gates of Heaven.
Billy Norman Sr. came into this world on June 17, 1948. He was born to the late James L. and Nina Rollins Norman of Greenwood. Billy Sr. graduated from Walnut Hill High School in 1966 where he lettered in baseball and football. He was granted a scholarship to play football at Grambling College where he became a part of the fearsome foursome.
Standing 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, wearing jersey No. 61, Billy Sr. played guard for the fighting Tigers under Coach Eddie Robinson. He went on to play for the Chicago Bears for a brief time.
While in school at Grambling College, Billy met and married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Martha Ann Emanuel on March 7, 1970. They welcomed into this world a bouncing baby boy, Billy Jr. and a precocious baby girl Marlyn Yvette.
Billy Sr. will be greatly missed and forever remembered by his loving and devoted son, Billy James Norman, Jr., and daughter, Marlyn Yvette Norman; Siblings Bettie Henderson, Bobbie Roderick, Louis Norman, Terri Coleman, Donald Ray (Amelia) Norman, Carolyn Faye Van Dyke, Linda (Alvin) Davis, Carolyn Webb; treasured grandchildren, Ashley Danyale Walker, Raven Alicia Presley, Robert Jordan Presley; Britney Presley (Corey) Moore, Meghan Presley; Great Grandchildren Patrick Jr., Diamauhn, Donovan, Janiyah, Terrance, Jr., Courtney, Corey, Jr., and Payton James; loving sisters-in-law Delores Emanuel Hamilton, Leatha Emanuel and Wanda Marie Emanuel (Manuel) Woods; brothers-in-law Willie D. Emanuel, Henry O’Neal (Carlise) Emanuel and Alvin Wiltz, adopted sons Marlin Branch, Zane (Ava and Nathan) Talbert, Darrius Hunter, Kyle Davenport, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends and family whom were blessed to know him.
A celebration of life will be held on October 7 at 1 p.m. at Paradise Funeral Home Chape. by Rev. Julius R. Sumler, pastor/teacher at new Rocky Valley Baptist Church.
