Billy Wayne Minor Sr.

Gulf Shores

Billy Wayne Minor Sr., age 79, died July 31, 2012, at a Pensacola hospital. He was born November 27, 1932, in Shelby County, the son of Wilford Dewey and Eunice Mae (Kendrick) Minor.

Following graduation from Vincent High School, class of 1951, Billy served in the U.S. Army in Okinawa during the Korean Conflict. He returned home to his high school sweetheart, Eulee “Susie” Salser, who he had married before shipping off. They settled in Chelsea until 1980, when they moved to Gulf Shores and spent the next 32 years there running their excavating company of over 40 years. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this December.

Billy is survived by his wife, Susie Minor; his daughters, Debra King of Columbiana and Cindy Hurst of Fairhope; and son, Billy Wayne Minor Jr. of Baton Rouge; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Rooks of Nashville, Christopher Rooks and Steven Parks of Columbiana, Stacy Williams of Fairhope, and Teá, Mia and Katie Minor of Baton Rouge; sister Mickey (Minor) Griffin; brother Elzie C. Minor of Chelsea; and many nieces and nephews.

Having passed unexpectedly, Billy was still working every day of his life that he desired until eight days before his death. We know he would be thankful to have been blessed with such long-lived vitality. Though he was a tough man, Billy very much enjoyed his work and had a love of people that he showed through the unflinching generosity he was known for. He will be missed.

A celebration of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 5, 2012, at his business at 3863 Hwy 59 South, Gulf Shores, AL. A formal service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Chelsea Community Church. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts in Billy’s memory to the International Society for Stem Cell Research, 5215 Old Orchard Road Suite 270, Skokie, IL 60077, or call (224) 592-5706.