Obituary for Billy Joe Barnett
Billy Joe Barnett “Big Bill” was born November 21, 1971, in Battle Creek, MI. He was the son of William Orange Barnett and Mary Ann Barnett. Billy transitioned this life on Monday, August 17, 2020.
As a boy Bill enjoyed swimming, hanging out at the local recreation center, shooting pool and being a lifeguard. Although Bill was born in Battle Creek, MI, he spent some of his childhood in Mississippi where he graduated from Ripley High School. Bill enjoyed playing sports, but football was his favorite sport. His football playing skills awarded him a full scholarship to play at the University of North Alabama until an unfortunate paralyzing neck injury, changed the course of his life. Faced with the devastation and disappointment he found his self-determination to return to the things he loved by completing his physical therapy and regaining his ability to walk. The positive outlook on the possibilities of life always kept Bill in full pursuit of happiness and helping others.
Bill met and married Nona Marie on November 15, 2005. Together they loved and raised many children and overcame a lot of life’s challenges together. They hosted many BBQ’s (they both loved to cook) and celebrated birthdays and holidays like no one else! Just gathering the family was always a party. Bill loved to be around his family, on any given day you could find him relaxing, watching movies or playing games with his loved ones. He also loved to fish, cook, work in the yard, storm watch and chill on his porch listening to his old school music.
Over the course of his life he developed a strong relationship with God. He served on the church choir, usher board, lead as a deacon and was a janitor. He was a member of New Harvest Christian Center for over 10 years.
Bill is simply a devoted, loving father and grandfather. He was always there for all his children and would not hesitate to drop whatever he was doing to come to their aid. He loved them more than he loved himself after all his children are his most prized accomplishment.
Bill is preceded in death by his Father, William Orange Barnett and Brothers, Robert Story and Bobby Barnett.
He leaves to cherish his Wife, Nona Marie Barnett, Son, Javonte Jayven Barnett, Son, Julius Jupree Barnett, Son, Zion Billion Emanuel Barnett, Daughter, Niani Marie Johnson Barnett, Son, William Zabion Barnett, Daughter, NeAmajah De’ann Barnett, Daughter, Mary Ann Elizabeth, Son, Marcel (Tonisha) Health, Daughter, Taybriel Huges, Daughter, Crystal (Deshone) Gordon, Daughter, Jackie Jackie Evans and Son, Neiko Youngblood; Grandchildren, Marcel J Health II, Malakhi A. Health, Markeece Gordon, K’veante Gordon, Deshone Gordon II, Jerimiah Gordon; Mother, Mary Ann Barnett; Sisters, Margie Polk, Houston, TX, Debbie Clark (Elmo) Ripley, MS, Debra Barnett, Tupelo, MS; Brothers, Charles Story, (Lorie), Ripley, MS, Ronnie Barnett (Athena), Odenville, AL William Carnett (Martha), Ripley, MS, Terry Gunner, Milwaukee, MI, Lionel Barnett, Tupelo, MS; Special Brothers, Monte L. Freeman, Battle Creek, MI, and DonVance, Ripley, MS; Uncles, Eugene Miller (Doris), Kirkwoog, MO, William Cox (Norma), Battle Creek, MI and a host of special friends and family.
As a boy Bill enjoyed swimming, hanging out at the local recreation center, shooting pool and being a lifeguard. Although Bill was born in Battle Creek, MI, he spent some of his childhood in Mississippi where he graduated from Ripley High School. Bill enjoyed playing sports, but football was his favorite sport. His football playing skills awarded him a full scholarship to play at the University of North Alabama until an unfortunate paralyzing neck injury, changed the course of his life. Faced with the devastation and disappointment he found his self-determination to return to the things he loved by completing his physical therapy and regaining his ability to walk. The positive outlook on the possibilities of life always kept Bill in full pursuit of happiness and helping others.
Bill met and married Nona Marie on November 15, 2005. Together they loved and raised many children and overcame a lot of life’s challenges together. They hosted many BBQ’s (they both loved to cook) and celebrated birthdays and holidays like no one else! Just gathering the family was always a party. Bill loved to be around his family, on any given day you could find him relaxing, watching movies or playing games with his loved ones. He also loved to fish, cook, work in the yard, storm watch and chill on his porch listening to his old school music.
Over the course of his life he developed a strong relationship with God. He served on the church choir, usher board, lead as a deacon and was a janitor. He was a member of New Harvest Christian Center for over 10 years.
Bill is simply a devoted, loving father and grandfather. He was always there for all his children and would not hesitate to drop whatever he was doing to come to their aid. He loved them more than he loved himself after all his children are his most prized accomplishment.
Bill is preceded in death by his Father, William Orange Barnett and Brothers, Robert Story and Bobby Barnett.
He leaves to cherish his Wife, Nona Marie Barnett, Son, Javonte Jayven Barnett, Son, Julius Jupree Barnett, Son, Zion Billion Emanuel Barnett, Daughter, Niani Marie Johnson Barnett, Son, William Zabion Barnett, Daughter, NeAmajah De’ann Barnett, Daughter, Mary Ann Elizabeth, Son, Marcel (Tonisha) Health, Daughter, Taybriel Huges, Daughter, Crystal (Deshone) Gordon, Daughter, Jackie Jackie Evans and Son, Neiko Youngblood; Grandchildren, Marcel J Health II, Malakhi A. Health, Markeece Gordon, K’veante Gordon, Deshone Gordon II, Jerimiah Gordon; Mother, Mary Ann Barnett; Sisters, Margie Polk, Houston, TX, Debbie Clark (Elmo) Ripley, MS, Debra Barnett, Tupelo, MS; Brothers, Charles Story, (Lorie), Ripley, MS, Ronnie Barnett (Athena), Odenville, AL William Carnett (Martha), Ripley, MS, Terry Gunner, Milwaukee, MI, Lionel Barnett, Tupelo, MS; Special Brothers, Monte L. Freeman, Battle Creek, MI, and DonVance, Ripley, MS; Uncles, Eugene Miller (Doris), Kirkwoog, MO, William Cox (Norma), Battle Creek, MI and a host of special friends and family.