Billy Joe Copeland, 80, of Hickory, died Friday at 5:45 pm at Baptist Health Paducah.
He was born June 10, 1933 in Paducah. Bill was a veteran of the United States Army where he played in an Army band. He was a member of Community Fellowship Baptist Church. He retired from the United States Postal Service as a clerk after thirty years employment. Bill played with the Dixie Drifters for over twenty years. He and his wife, Sue, formed a band called “Two of a Kind” which performed 7-9 times per month at local nursing homes and senior living facilities. He was an entertainer who enjoyed making others laugh and smile.
Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Sue Johnson Copeland; children Debra Copeland of Paducah, Billie Dianne Flynn and husband Greg of Tucson, Arizona, Rhonda Gail Beard of Nashville, Billy Jay Copeland and wife Nancy of Nashville, Bobby Joe Copeland and wife Susie of Paducah; and two step children, Tammy Sue Barclay and husband Joey of Paducah and Jimmy Keith Rockwell of Hickory; three brothers, Ronnie Reed, Ted Richard Reed and Kenneth Wayne Reed; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his siblings, June Mildred Griggs, Carolyn Jane Warren, Bobby Ray Copeland and half-sister, Sharon Ann Reed; his father, Lawrence Edward Copeland; mother, Thelma Ann Wade Reed; and step-father, Earl Reed.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Tuesday at Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Hatcher and Rev. Rusty Wirt officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5-8 pm.
Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 3140 Parisa Drive, Paducah, KY 42003.
