Funeral service for Billy Gerald Slayton, age 84, of Huntsville, AL, formerly of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Rev. Johnny Minick and Rev. Curtis Silcox officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Billy was born on May 15, 1939, in Madison County, AL to the late Clyde Slayton and Lucille Manley Slayton. He was a 1958 graduate of Hazel Green High School. Mr. Slayton opened the Buy Rite Grocery Store in Fayetteville in 1964. Later he would own and operate the Food Town in Fayetteville, Elora Food Store, and two Food Valu Stores in Huntsville. Billy loved watching western movies with his wife, Eunice Plunkett Slayton, who passed away in 2020. He also enjoyed watching his former Hazel Green High School teacher on the Andy Griffith Show and cherished time spent with his grandchildren. Mr. Slayton passed away on January 1, 2024, at HH Hospice Family Care in Huntsville.
Survivors include his children, Tab (Vicky) Slayton, Anita (Kenneth) Williams, and Melanie (Gerry) Stevenson all of Huntsville; grandchildren, Jonah Stevenson, Josie Stevenson, Erica (Nick) Brannon, and Dustan (Melissa) Williams; great-grandchildren, Libby Williams, and Jolee Williams; and a brother, Randall Slayton.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Billy Gerald Slayton.
Mr. Slayton and his family were all so nice. I have lots of memories of growing up and riding my bike to Elora Food Store; that the Slaytons owned. I know he will be missed by his friends and family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Joey Campbell
Mr.Slayton was one of the nicest men I’ve ever know always stopped what he was doing to speak to me. If I had any problem he always fixed with a smile! I hold this man in the highest regard. If there ever was a man that made it to the other side IT IS HIM! Rest in peace 🙏
Dearest Slayton Family –
I’m so very sorry to hear of Mr. Billy’s passing. I know your grief is profound, as is all of those that knew and loved him. We find comfort knowing he is in the arms of his Savior and enjoying a far greater day than we could ever imagine. His legacy is evident in his amazing family. Everyone who knows the Slayton’s knows they are a family of faith, honor and integrity. As a community, we love y’all so much and pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort you during your time of mourning.
Cheryl Martin
Worked for Billy in the store on Hebgemont añd the store on the bypass in Fayetteville. Billy taught me a lot about grocery business. Billy and Eunice were fine Christan folks. Billy taught me some valuable lesson about life.I was a young kid and needed some guidance.Sorry for y’all’s loss.Such a good man
I worked for Billy at the store on Hebgemont and the store on the bypass.Billy taught about grocery business and lessons in life. I will never forget him and Eunice.He always treated me fair
I had slot of respect for Bill
Billy was one of the kindness persons I ever knew. I shopped for years at Food Value on Winchester Road. When I lost my husband, he went way beyond to help us during his passing. He also was wry nice when we lost my father 6 weeks later. Never went in that store that you did not seen a smile on his face. My entire family lived in that community and shopped there even after the other big stores came out there. Loved shopping at Food Value and loved the people that ran it and worked there. The world will him for sure. Prayers are with the family.
Sorry for your loss, Randall. Prayers of comfort.
One of the most pleasant people you would ever meet. He always had a smile and a kind word for you. I haven’t talked with him in years,but tried to keep up with him through Tab. RIP Billy.
i am sorry to hear this we shopped at the buy rite he ran and i went to school with Tab ,Mr Billy was a very good man he will be missed.
We are saddened at your dad’s passing, Tab and Kenneth. We remember seeing him at FoodValu there on Winchester often…always so kind and funny! Miss seeing you guys too since we moved to NC. Shelby let us know she’d heard of his passing. God bless and comfort you and your family.
Billy was a wonderful man & a great business man. He was a friend to everyone in Elora. Had the best little grocery store in Elora. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.
So very sorry the your loss. Sending my deepest sympathies. Have fond memories of the family. My sincere condolences. Ola Archer Elora
Sorry for you loss prayers to you and your family
We are so Sorry. He was a great person. We enjoyed Shopping at the Bi-Rite. He will be greatly missed. God Bless the Family with Comfort and Peace.🙏❤️🙏