William Larry Goolsby

1942 - 2025

William "Larry" Goolsby, 82 of Hickory Flat, MS passed away on October 7th, 2025 at his home. Funeral service will be held at United Funeral Home of New Albany, MS on Saturday October 11th, 2025. Visitation will be available at 9:00 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:00am.

Larry was born in Benton County to William "Jessie" Goolsby & Era Bradford Goolsby on November 6th, 1942. He attended Hickory Flat High School where he was elected Senior Vice-President, and a standout athlete. He graduated in 1960. He immediately received an athletic scholarship to Northwest Community College in Senatobia, where he was a member of the NWCC Ranger's Men's Basketball Program. He later went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Agricultural Economics. With his farming heritage, educational background, and strong entrepreneurial drive he developed Goolsby Farms while working full time for over 40 years for the Biltrite Corp. in Ripley, MS. There he served as Director of Sales & Traffic Management. During those years while working in the corporate world, and developing Goolsby Farms, he was the owner of a trucking line, and a co-owner of a furniture factory. After his retirement from the Biltrite Corp, and his wife's retirement from public education, they have focused working together on Goolsby Farms.

He loved spending each day on the farm, visiting with customers, and marketing farm animals. He loved his family and instilled a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Early in his life, he was influenced greatly by the love and admiration of Southern Gospel Music. Up until his passing, it was the only music he cared to listen to. He was a huge fan of Southern Gospel Quartet Harmony. Among his favorites were the Statesmen Quartet, Bob Wills and the Inspirationals, and the Cathedrals. He sang bass with The Blue Mountain Boys and the Shepherd's Quartet of New Albany in the 1960's and 1970's. In his last few years he has enjoyed a new avenue of sales of miniature donkeys and cattle with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William "Jessie" and Era Bradford Goolsby, a loving sister, Marie Goolsby Mills, grandparents, William "Oscar" and Lillie Cox Goolsby, the maternal grandparents, John Franklin Bradford and Lillie Renick Bradford, an infant daughter, Tina Goolsby, an infant great-granddaughter, Amelia Mae Goolsby. He is survived by wife of 63 years, Judy Jackson Goolsby, his son, William "Barry" Goolsby (Ginger) of Hickory Flat, a grandson, William "Grant" Goolsby (Maggie) of New Albany, a granddaughter, Elizabeth Marie Matlock (Cody) of Blue Mountain, six great-grandchildren, William "Jack" Goolsby, Sam David Matlock, Evelyn "Evie" Grace Goolsby, James Haddon Matlock, Lucy Louise Goolsby, John Maxwell "Max" Goolsby, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pall Bearers and honorary pall bearers will be Warner Bradford, David McClure, David Mills, James Cox, Christopher Cox, Robby Goolsby, Aaron Goolsby, Charles Jackson, Tim Jackson, and Cody Matlock, Ronnie Mills, and Joe Owen.