William Jefferson Little, Sr. died peacefully at his home in Oakey Streak Community, Alabama on April 6, 2024. He was 94. William, better known as Billy, was born on March 6, 1930 to Bill Ray and Jewel Little in Butler County, Alabama.
Billy attended Auburn University for two years before enlisting in the US Air Force as a cadet in 1951. He was stationed at Greenville Air Force Base for pilot training. At an afternoon “Tea Dance,” he met Sarah Lee Valencino. They married in 1952 and when Billy separated from the Air Force, they settled in Greenville.
Billy was a faithful communicant at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Greenville. He, along with his wife, Sarah Lee, were leaders in a “new” ministry called Engaged Encounter for many years. Billy gave his time and talent graciously in helping “fix things” whenever Father called. He lived well and loved well, always putting faith, family and friends first.
After his retirement in 1995, Billy began spending more time at the family homestead in Pigeon Creek, Alabama where he enjoyed maintaining his land. In 2003, he lost Sarah Lee, his wife of 51 years. With a broken heart and a need to fill the void, Billy began spending more time in Alabama. In 2004, at an Oakey Streak Methodist Church Homecoming, he became reacquainted with Helen Parker, who was actually his first grade girlfriend! Billy and Helen were married at Oakey Streak Methodist Church in 2005, when they were both 75 years old. After their marriage, Billy moved back to Butler County. He and Helen enjoyed a full life, being involved in their local community, gardening and attending church and Saturday night hymn singings. Billy became quite a legend in the Oakey Streak and Pigeon Creek Communities. Even when he was in his late 80’s, he continued to work the land and could often be caught alone on his property on a ladder with a chainsaw in his hands or digging post holes by hand. He continuously cut numerous acres of grass at the old family farmhouse, at Helen’s house and at the church and cemetery at Oakey Streak Methodist Church. He took great pride in the beauty of the lands he maintained. Billy could outpace and outwork many people decades younger, much to everyone’s astonishment. He was also known for his kind manner and quick wit.
Helen died in October, 2022, but Billy persevered and stayed active until his mind and health began rapidly declining after Thanksgiving of 2023. Along with Sarah Lee and Helen, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Kathryn and Carolyn. He is survived by his three children, Christy, Bill and Sam, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as his older brother Jimmy Little and his sisters, Joyce Aughtman and Dottie Schwatka.
Services will be held at Dunklin Funeral Home , 812 W. Commerce St. Greenville, Alabama, on Saturday, April 13th at 1:30 pm. Internment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens on April 16 at 2pm.
