William Charles (Bill) Hudgins Sr. - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 9/9/2015

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William Charles (Bill) Hudgins Sr. - Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Madison Journal July 23, 2015

William Charles (Bill) Hudgins Sr., 75, passed away on the morning of July 11, 2015, at his home. 
Hudgins was born Jan. 8, 1940, in Rosedale, Miss. to Charlie George and Thelma Mae (Gober) Hudgins 
and he was welcomed into Heaven by his parents and his grandson, Dustin Heath Tanksley, along with 
two beloved Boston Terriers: Elvis and Presley.

Hudgins grew up in Greenville, Miss. and attended and graduated from Greenville High School, after 
which he enrolled in junior college. He helped start one of the first true Rock-n-Roll bands, 
“Great Balls of Fire” and he toured all of the area, having opened for many well-known musicians, 
such as Carl Perkins, Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Cash, just to name a few. 

In January of 1959, he married the love of his life, Jo Ann Scott, after meeting her at a roller 
skating rink in 1958, as he worked on river boats on the Mississippi River. He lived in Tallulah 
for 23 years, after which he moved to Texas and was a resident there for 33 years. While in Tallulah, 
he served as a deacon at Parkview Baptist church, where he faithfully attended and sang.

Hudgins worked as an auto technician his whole life and the only thing he loved more than working on 
cars was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed making people laugh, as well as getting to 
demonstrate to anyone that telling a good story was his talent. He was a laid-back man who was loyal 
to a fault, generous beyond belief and a steadfast rock of ever-present support to his family. 
Hudgins never saw, or said, the worst in others - he only made sure to be the kind of person he 
knew others could be: honest, hard-working, kind, sweet with endless patience and consideration. 
He was a loving husband, honored father, devoted “Popsy,” cherished mentor and trusted friend. 
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Hudgins leaves to cherish his legacy: his wife, JoAnn Hudgins, of Rockwall; children, 
Rhonda H. (Randy) Tanksley, of Mesquite, Kathy H. (Matt) Dunigan, of Rockwall and 
William (Billy) Hudgins, Jr. of Wylie; grandchildren, Kimi Gray, Ryan Tanksley, Dane, Madison and 
Dolan Dunigan and Morgan and Caitlann Hudgins; great-grandchildren,Dustin T. Tanksley, Mica Oliver, 
Peyton Tanksley and Charlotte Gray; sisters, Joan H. Crews and Rita H. Crews; many nieces and nephews; 
brothers-in-law, Tommy Crews and Walter (Scotty) Scott Jr.; sisters-in-law, Helen White, Linda Parker 
and Tommie Burchfield; and extended family and a host of friends, as well as his Boston Terrier, 
Beaux, who brought him great joy.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date by the family. In memory of Hudgins’ generosity, 
memorials to your favorite organization can be made in his name. Condolences and stories may be shared 
with the family at andersonclaytonterrell.com.