- Date Of Death: May 9, 2010
- State: Alabama
Billy Hilman McMichael, Sr. age 83, of Trussville, AL died Sunday evening May 9, 2010. Billy was born in Atlanta, Georgia on September 25, 1926. He is survived by his wife of 60 A½ years, Mary Jo Smith McMichael; son, Billy “Bill” Hilman McMichael ,Jr.(Sandi); daughters, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Nail (Dwayne), and Connie McMichael Martin(Brian); 3 grandchildren, Brooke Elizabeth Nail(18), Mary-Joan Elise Martin(5) and Luke Abel Martin(2). Billy was a graduate of the Boys High School, Atlanta, GA and attained the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Silver Arrow. He also was a Merchant Marine in World War II. He built several houses in Atlanta and surrounding areas such as Lake Altoona. After that he started as an electrician with Southern Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) in Atlanta and was later transferred to Salisbury, North Carolina as a foreman. In 1963, he was transferred to Birmingham as General Foreman of the Diesels and retired the same on December 31, 1986 with 34 years of service to Norfolk Southern Railroad. In 1972, Billy and his wife Mary Jo bought the Irondale CafeI and owned it for almost 28 years. Billy worked alongside his wife at the CafeI when he retired from the railroad. He was a member of the Irondale Lions Club, Irondale Masonic Lodge, Shriners Zamora Temple, the Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Railroad Retired Men’s Group of Norfolk Railroad. His last day of life here was spent at Eastside Baptist Church where he and his wife were members since May 25,1997. Billy was in the “Joy” Sunday School Class. He loved Alabama football and the Atlanta Braves and watching other sports. When owning the Irondale CafeI he loved shopping for fresh foods at the Farmer’s Market and laboring his famous desserts. Billy loved meeting people, talking with friends, sharing stories and having company at home. He loved his grandchildren and told them often how much he loved them and that Jesus did too.
