CARRSVILLE — Joseph William “Joe Billy” Lankford, 75, passed away on Jan. 3, 2019, in his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Joe Billy was a native of Isle of Wight County, and was a son of the late Bernard and Lillian Duck Lankford. He was predeceased by his first wife, Minnie Darden Lankford; two brothers, Robert Earl Lankford and Bernard Lee Lankford; and his beloved sidekick “Jack.”

Joe Billy grew up in Beaver Dam Baptist Church, and was a retired foreman with VDOT, a former 13-year employee of Newport News Shipyard, and along with his wife, Minnie, operated Maynards Store, which was a local focal point of the area for 20 years.

He was a member of the Blackwater Hunt Club, honorary member of Community Hunt Club, and was an avid fisherman, hunter and houndsman.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Peggy Carr Lankford; son, Neil Lankford (Carol;) stepson, Stephen Cobb; sister, Betty Butler; two sisters-in-law, Frances and Emily Lankford; four grandchildren, Ethan Burgess (Alyssa,) Aaron Burgess, Blake Cobb and Logan Cobb; and nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Warren Johnson officiating. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.