Dr. Billy Joe Naylor

Dr. Billy Joe Naylor, age 90, passed away January 18, 2025, at his home in Henderson.  

Dr. Naylor was born and reared in Chester County in the Old Friendship Community, the son of the late Ferry Everett and Vera Irene Woodward Naylor. He graduated from Chester County High School in 1952. He received an Associates of the Arts degree from Freed Hardeman College in 1954. 

He was then drafted to the US Army in August 1954 and served for two years. He served in Germany and was drum major for the Drum and Bugle Corps. He was an honor graduate of the 7th Army NCO Academy, Munich, Germany. 

He married Barbara Colwell in 1957 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They made their home in Memphis where he attended Memphis State University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a Master’s of the Arts degree in Mathematics and Education. They moved to West Memphis in 1960, where he served as Principal in the West Memphis School District for five years. In 1965, they moved to Springdale, Arkansas where he attended the University of Arkansas and earned a Doctorate of Education degree in Education Administration. 

He and his family moved back to Henderson in 1966, where he began working with Freed Hardeman College. He was a dedicated member of their faculty for 40 years. He served as Chair of the Department of Education and Psychology, Dean of Instruction, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Vice-President for Administration. He assisted in developing the Prospectus for Transition for Baccalaureate degrees to Master’s Degrees. He retired from Freed-Hardeman in 2006. While at Freed-Hardeman, he also served for 15 years as an Adjunct Professor for The University of Memphis as a Professor of Educational Research and Statistics. The Tennessee Legislator issued a Proclamation for his role in education and community service. He served as an educational director for the Missouri Street Church of Christ in West Memphis from 1960 to 1965, and for the Springdale Church of Christ from 1965 to 1966. 

Dr. Naylor served as Educational Director at Estes Church of Christ for two years. He also served as a Consultant for various Churches of Christ in curriculum development for Bible school material. In 1968, he began serving as minister for the Estes Church of Christ, for a total of six years. He then served as Minister at Bethel Springs, Finger and Christian Chapel near Lexington. He returned to Estes and served as an elder for many years. He conducted over 550 funerals in the area. While teaching at Freed- Hardeman, he taught Tennessee History where he became interested in the history of Finger and the surrounding areas. He collaborated with John Talbott in writing and publishing a book entitled, “Finger Prints”. 

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lucille Colwell Naylor, two daughters, Dana Michelle Naylor Harville (Mark) of Medina and Taryn Danette Naylor Bolton (Matt) of Cookeville; four grandchildren, Aaron Harville, Audrian Harville, Mariel Swann and Ashlyn Petty (Jackson); two great grandchildren, Summit and Rose Petty; and one sister, Florene O’Rear. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ferry Everett and Vera Irene Naylor, three brothers, Dewayne, James, and Everett “Junior” Naylor, and one sister, Lavelle Mayo. 

Funeral services will be 1:30 PM January 25, 2025, at Estes Church of Christ with Mike Cravens, Mark Blackwelder, and Doug Burleson officiating. Burial will follow with Billy Smith officiating at Old Friendship Cemetery with military honors. 

The family will receive friends at Estes Church of Christ from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM service time Saturday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson

731-989-2421