Billy Gene Grant

Billy G. Grant began his life's journey on January 23rd, 1936, the son of Dorsey and Frances Grant. Billy was called from labor to rewards on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at his home.

Billy was a lifelong resident of Columbia, Missouri. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1955. He had just celebrated his 70th class reunion.

Billy married the love of his life Alice Jean (Bagby) Grant. From the union, they produced four children: Lonzella (Ade), Wendell (Suzanne), Darryl and Fran (Ed), ten grandchildren whom he loved very much, a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren whom he adored, and a host of nieces and nephews he loved as well.

Billy started employment at GTE and was one of the first black linemen. He said that he would climb 70 feet in the air every other day. He was a member of the union IBEW. He ended his career with Verizon after 30 years. After retirement, he worked for Grade A Plus as a bus driver.

Billy was a loyal and dedicated member of the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia, MO. He was a member of the choir and hung up his robe to become a member of the Usher ministry, which he loved. He was a member of the NAACP where he was a bus driver for the Voter and Registration Initiative. He provided community service by participating in the Clean Up Columbia project. He also walked for the Alzheimer's and American Heart Association. Billy had a love for cars, music, reading and Saturday morning Gospel, with "Serenade of Love" his favorite.

Billy and Alice loved to travel, they visited all 50 of the United States! Most of all, he loved his life and people.

He was preceded in death by his wife Alice Grant, parents Dorsey and Frances Grant, brother Leon Grant, sister Dorothy Grant, and two grandsons Wendell O'Neal Cross and Stephaion Baskett.

He cherished Freddie Byrd, Karen Warren, Anna Lane, Jimmy Webster and all of his friends who have been supportive and loved him over the years.

Services for Mr. Billy G. Grant will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Second Missionary Baptist Church, located at 407 East Broadway, Columbia, Missouri 65201. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow immediately thereafter at Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com