William "Billy" Tarrantt Edwards went home to be with his heavenly father on October 7, 2021, after complications from advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Billy was born in Chester, MS on March 17, 1932, to Tarrantt Lafayette and Genova Weatherall Edwards. He grew up in Itta Bena, Mississippi and was a graduate of Itta Bena High School in 1950. Attending Sunflower Junior College for two years, he then went on to Mississippi Southern College, now known as University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1957, Billy then married the love of his life, Beverly Arbogast. As of January 17, 1958, he had served 7 years of active duty between the Naval Reserves and his two years aboard the USS Macon where he visited ports in the Mediterranean including: Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands. He was employed 33 years with APAC, Inc. starting in Greenville, Mississippi. In 1966, he transferred to Jacksonville, Florida where he spent 14 years and then the company transferred him back to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1980 where he retired from APAC, Inc. in 1992, as Accountant, Controller, and Credit Manager. Following retirement in 1992, he and Beverly moved to Cantonment, Florida where he served as President and Treasurer of Ashbury Hills Homeowners Association. He also served as a deacon at Parkwood Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a faithful 30 year member of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In retirement, he and Beverly traveled in their motorhome seeing the beauty of America, especially the National Parks. They also visited parts of the United Kingdom. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, and bicycling.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Beverly Arbogast. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Katrina Corban (Gill) of Hernando, Mississippi; his 3 sons: Rev. Stevan Edwards (Rhonda) of Jacksonville, Texas; Mark Edwards (Phyllis) of Brandon, Mississippi; and Christopher Edwards (Dana) of Lawrenceville, Georgia. He had 10 grandchildren: Mary-Kathrine Werner (Kyle), Nelson Corban (Ashley), Kaley Edwards Benton (Keith), Jake Edwards, Meagan Edwards Molandes (Donald), Ashley Edwards, Tyler Edwards, Drew Edwards (Rachel), Amanda Pate (Russ) and Aaron Henderson (Allison). Billy also had 10 great-grandchildren: Tripp (7), Maggie (5), Emery (6), Tenley (4), Audrey (4), Rae (4), Hollis (5), (Livy (3), Clay (2), and Athena (1.5).

Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Itta Bena Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home in Greenwood, Mississippi.  Rev. Stevan Edwards will be officiating.

Military rites will be conducted by Keesler-Hamrick-Gillespie American Legion Post 29.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl.17, Chicago, IL 60601 or act.alz.org.

Wilson & Knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.