Billy M Woods-Trenton Tn

Funeral services for Mr. Billy M. Woods, age 87, will be Friday July 11, 2025, at 2PM at the Trenton United Methodist Church with Reverand Ken Smith and Cecil Belew officiating, burial to follow in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday July 10, 2025, from 5PM until 7PM in the chapel of Shelton Funeral Home and on Friday July 11, 2025, from 1PM until service time at the church.
Billy Mack Woods was born on February 19, 1938, in Crockett Mills, Tennessee, to Algie and Ruby Agee Woods. He was raised in Crockett Mills and graduated from Hamlett Robertson High School in 1956, where he made many lifelong friends.
In 1958, he married Judy Hickerson of Trenton, beginning a marriage that would span 66 years.
Soon after graduating, Billy moved to Memphis and began his banking career in the mailroom at Union Planters Bank. With the encouragement of his mentor, Mr. Burnett, he enrolled in courses through the American Institute of Banking. Over the years, he earned multiple certifications and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as Vice President at Union Planters. He also worked for Commercial and Industrial Bank and First American Bank. In 1978, he helped charter Lauderdale County Bank in Halls, Tennessee, where he worked until 1983. That year, he and his family moved to Trenton, where he became President of Citizens State Bank (now Cadence Bank), a position he held until his retirement.
Billy was deeply involved in the banking industry beyond his professional roles. He served as President of the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Banking, President of the Independent Bankers Association Board, and was a longtime member of the Legislative Committee of the Tennessee Bankers Association, where he had the opportunity to influence banking legislation at the national level.
He was also a devoted community servant. He was a member of the East Memphis Optimist Club, Dyersburg State Board of Trustees, Trenton Industrial Board, Rotary Club, Exchange Club, and Hunters Sharing the Harvest. He served as Secretary and Treasurer for the Harlan Morris Retirement Home, Chairman of the Board of the C.S. Patterson Training Center, and Secretary for the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
In recognition of his service to the Trenton community, in 2019 he was asked to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Trenton Teapot Festival Parade.
Outside of his professional and civic life, Billy had a true passion for cooking. If he hadn't become a banker, he always said he would have loved to open a restaurant. He and Judy were known for hosting fish fries and grilling for family and friends. He also organized and cooked for "men's wild game nights" in his outdoor garage kitchen-one of his favorite ways to bring people together. Whether it was a church fundraiser, an Exchange Club event or a family cookout, Billy was quick to pitch in and man the grill, helping raise money and good cheer. In retirement, he catered monthly Exchange Club lunches and enjoyed choosing the menu and preparing the meals.
Billy's faith was a central part of his life. He was baptized as a child and grew up attending Providence Baptist Church. After marrying Judy, they became active members of the United Methodist Church, attending Oakhaven UMC, FUMC Halls, and for the last 41 years, First United Methodist Church of Trenton. There, he served in many leadership roles, including Finance Chairman, Administrative Board Chairman, and Trustees Chairman. He also served on the Board of Pensions for the Memphis Conference and on the board of Reelfoot Rural Ministries.
Billy believed deeply in giving-through tithing, through service, and through quiet acts of kindness. He was known to quietly purchase Christmas gifts for families in need and often gave money to the local grocery store manager with instructions to use it to help someone struggling.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Woods; son, Richard Woods and wife Judy; daughter, Susan Wilson; grandson, Adam Seward; granddaughter, Katie Wilson; grandson, Billy Wilson and wife Gaëlle; and great-grandson, Eric Seward. He is also survived by his brother, Elbert Woods; brothers-in-law, Jerry and J.B. Hickerson; sisters-in-law, Janie McCullough, Gail Elliott, and Georgia McCartney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mary Sue Gourley, Hazel Morton, Dorothy Burnett, Beatrice Simmons, Travis Woods, Joyce Hutchison, Gerald Woods, and Donald Woods; brother-in-law, James Hickerson; and grandson, Eric Neuman.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ennix Harriston, who was a true blessing and helped with his care these last 18 months.
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