Dr. William Alonzo Billups, Jr.

Dr. William Alonzo Billups, Jr.

In lieu of visitation, all are welcome to attend a celebration of Dr. Billups’s life on Tuesday, April 24, from 5:00 until 7:00 in the evening, at Soulé Steam Feed Works. A private family burial service will be held at a later date.

Dr. William Alonzo Billups, Jr., 77, of Meridian, MS, died on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

He was born on June 15, 1940, in Grenada, MS, to William Alonzo and Nannie Jewel (Hines) Billups and grew up on a farm outside of Holcomb, MS. He attended Grenada High School and Millsaps College (Jackson, MS), where he met and married Linda Moss. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine (Jackson) in 1965 and completed a surgical residency under Dr. James D. Hardy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous other medical societies. He also served as a surgeon in the U.S. Air Force.

Dr. Billups practiced general surgery in Meridian for 45 years until his retirement in 2017. He was a member of the Medical Arts Surgical Group and on the staff at Riley Memorial Hospital, Anderson Regional Medical Center, and Rush Foundation Hospital. He was a founding physician at the Meridian Surgery Center.

A highly respected and avid aviator, Dr. Billups began flying as a teenager. He earned his private, commercial, flight instructor, and airline transport pilot licenses and held endorsements and ratings for various types of aircraft.  He flew dozens of different aircraft while amassing thousands of flying hours.  Most of Meridian knew the distinguishing sound and sight of N189WB as “the plane Dr. Billups built in his attic.” Some also saw him hovering around in the helicopter he built in his basement.  Others saw him accompanying any number of his dozens of flight students.  He placed in the Sun ’n Fun and Reno air races with N189WB after winning Grand Champion at Sun ’n Fun for his expert craftsmanship.  He enjoyed air shows, aerobatics, and the company of many fellow pilots across the country.

Dr. Billups was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Meridian for 46 years. He was an accomplished gunsmith and knife maker, and he could fix anything that was broken and improve anything that was not. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, and traveling with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Moss Billups; son Dr. William A. Billups, III (Mary) of Meridian, MS; daughter Carah Lynn Billups Arnold (Jay) of Huntsville, AL; brother Dr. Thomas Keener Billups (Judy) of Tupelo, MS; Cousin Dorothy Long Poole (Wain) of Memphis, TN; Grandchildren Sarah Catherine Billups of Minneapolis, MN; Robert Billups of Cambridge, England; and Grace and Mary Adeline Arnold of Huntsville, AL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church of Meridian or the charity of your choice.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.