Life’s Reflections
Billy Shannon, Sr. was born on January 3, 1948, to the late Thomas Shannon, Sr. and Fannie Mae Shannon. He was the third of seven children. Billy was a member of St. Theresa Little Flower Catholic Church. He departed this life peacefully at his home on June 13, 2026.
Billy graduated from Mt. Pisgah High School in 1965. He attended Owen Junior College, LeMoyne-Owen College, and The Legendary Memphis State University, Northwest Alabama State College, The Southern Institute of Aviation, and EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University.
Billy enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country from 1967 to 1971. He received Jet Fighters Crew Chief training, worked on F-100, B57, F-4, and T-38 aircraft, and spent 15 months in Vietnam. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Billy and Sylvia recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They created a home filled with love, laughter, and hospitality. They walked through life hand in hand, sharing dreams, raising a family, and creating memories that will be treasured for generations. Their enduring partnership is a source of inspiration and a testament to the power of lifelong love and commitment.
After Billy’s discharge from the USAF, he worked for Hi-Air and later joined Federal Express as one of its earliest employees. He continued to work there for 41 years in several positions and retired from aviation management in 2017. He was the recipient of the FedEx Five-Star Award for his contributions and continuing dedication. The FAA presented him with the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award in recognition of practicing and promoting safe aircraft maintenance for 50 years.
Billy was affiliated with several organizations, including The Memphis Blackhawks, OBAP, Tuskegee Airmen, NAI, AOPA, and VFW Post 11333. His hobbies included his passion for flying as a private and commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings, being an aircraft owner, faithfully having a garden year after year, tending to his koi fish on his back porch patio, riding and caring for his horses, and auto maintenance.
Billy was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Cozetta D. Shannon and brother, Thomas Shannon, Jr. To cherish his legacy he leaves his wife, Sylvia; sons, William (LaWanda) Shannon, Billy (Shacona) Shannon, Jr., and Malik Shannon; brothers, John (Sandra) Shannon, Sr. and Robert Shannon, Sr.; sisters, Janice Shannon, Janet Howard and Paula Neal. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of relatives, friends, and former colleagues.
Order of Service
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 11:00 A.M.
St. Therese - Little Flower Catholic Church
1644 Jackson Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38107
Words of Remembrance..................................................................................Kim Bolton Niece
Mass
Entrance Procession..................................................“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
Liturgy of the Word
Homily
Prayers of the Faithful
Preparation of the Altar........................................................................“Amazing Grace”
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion...........................................................................................“Abide with Me”
Final Commendation.........................................................................“Come To His Aid”
Procession to Place of Burial......................................................................In Paradisum
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will lives and believes in Me will never die.”
John 11:25-26
Broken Chain
Little I knew that morning, God was going to call your name In life we loved you dearly. In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
herished CMemories
We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our many friends for the love shown during this time of bereavement. Your prayers, telephone calls, cards, visits, flowers, and other expressions of kindness mean so much to us. May God continue to shower His richest blessings upon you for your thoughtfulness.
