On Aug. 31, 2018, the Lord decided to take our father, grandfather, brother, and uncle to his heavenly home.
Billy Milton Vaden was born on Monday, May 8, 1931 in Durant, Okla. and lived all of his life in Calera. He married Joy E. Howard on Jan. 17, 1950 and they were married for 68 years.
He was preceded in death by is parents, Elmer and Ruth (Venable) Vaden; brother Lewis Vaden and step-mother Bertha Vaden. He is survived by his wife, Joy; daughters Pam Parrish and husband Jim of Calera, Karen Melton and husband Allen of Mead and Liz Jones and husband Jerry of Durant; grandchildren Tip Jones and wife Meredith, Jason Simpson and wife Amy, Jaime Compton and husband Chad, Ashley Corbin and husband Robert, Jeff Hughes and wife Ramona; step-grandchildren Chris Melton, Andrea Smith and husband Aaron; great grandchildren Caroline Jones, Austin Jones, Chase Corbin, Camryn Corbin, Laura Simpson, Emma Compton, Ava Compton, Audrey Hughes and Lila Hughes; step-greatgrandchildren Boz Smith and Bryna Melton; sister Lerlene Daze’ and husband Henry; nieces Amanda Bowden, Jana Fornof, Nephews; Larry Moss and Bill Moss.
Billy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Calera, The Chickasaw Nation, The Durant Elks Lodge and a 66-year member of the Masons, Rising Star, Lodge No. 129 in Calera. He graduated from Calera High School and attended one year at Murray State College. He was a cowboy who loved to rope. He worked for the ASCS office then he decided he wanted to farm his own land. He farmed peanuts, soybeans, watermelons, maze and oats, just to name a few. He retired from farming after more than 50 years. He didn’t care for retirement so started hot shot hauling for anyone who needed anything done. He traveled coast to coast and remembered every road and highway he traveled. He retired from this in 2016. His favorite pastime was watching the Dallas Cowboys.
He will always be remembered as a tall, gentle Indian that grabbed your attention and respect when you saw him.
Tip Jones, Jason Simpson, Jeff Hughes, Jerry Jones, Allen Melton, Robert Corbin, and Chad Compton will be serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jaime Compton, Ashley Corbin and good friend Ronnie Harp.
A funeral service will be held 10:00am Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 at the Calera First Baptist Church followed by a graveside interment at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera.