James Billy Lay

James Billy Lay, age 85 of Fayette, passed away Monday, December 19, 2016 at Fayette Medical Center. Services will be Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel with Rev. Steven Cannon and Rev. Lynell Early. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel. Burial will follow at Fayette Memorial Gardens. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Lay; mother, Arlon Lay; wife, Maxine Lay; two sons, Cecil Eugene Lay and Billy Jake Lay; grandson Joseph Driver; brother, Jake Lay; sister, Ruth Lay Pritchet. He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Gann (Danny) of Fayette, Brenda Nelson (Jacky) of Fayette and Cheryl Crawford (Brad) of Fayette; three sons, James Robert Lay (Ann) of Northport, Raymond Lay of Tuscaloosa and Joe Mack Lay (Patsy) of Fayette; two sisters, Gaynell Norwood of Slocomb and Judy Harris (Steve) of Slocomb; sixteen grandchildren; and thirty great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband and a father to eight children. He served as a deacon at Davis Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. He retired from the military after serving twenty-one years where he received the following medals; Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. He also retired from law enforcement after serving nineteen years. Pallbearers will be Ricky White, Chris Driver, Jeremy Lay, Daniel Gann, Jordan Roberts, John Underwood, Darron Gann and Ray Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Davis Chapel Church and VFW Post 5406.