Billy Randle Melton

Billy Randle Melton was born to loving parents on September 16, 1947, in Cleveland, Mississippi. Billy passed through this life, touching and forever changing the lives of those with whom he came in contact. Billy went to heaven on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014, at the age of 67 years old.
Billy had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement with the Mississippi Department of Revenue, Tennessee Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and served as Chief of Police of Sunflower, MS and Drew, MS. He was a graduate of the LSU Law Enforcement Academy and was the recipient of numerous commendations for his distinguished service.
Billy was an experienced and seasoned pilot. His love of aviation began as a small child, sitting in his father's lap, flying in the plane emblazoned with his name.
Billy was father to two children: his son, Billy R. Melton, Jr. (Amanda) of Daphne, AL and his daughter, Merideth Melton Dickerson (Lee) of Gautier, MS. He was a devoted and loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Olivia Dickerson, Will Dickerson, Joseph Mitchell, and Benjamin Melton.
Billy was married to Lenora Mallette Melton and they have resided in Long Beach, MS for 20 years. He embraced his second family and was a wonderful father to Monique Cooley Chipley (Robbie) of Lucedale, MS, and Andrew Cooley of Thibodaux, LA.
As the family grew, Billy became grandfather to Wyatt Chipley, Kaelyn Cooley, and Cooper Cooley, along with Hailey Vernon and Jack Vernon.
Billy is also survived by his mother, Nadine Williams Melton, his sister Dr. Judy Melton Couey and brother, Allen Melton, all of Long Beach, MS.
He is predeceased by his father, Jesse Holt Melton, his brother Robert Land Melton, paternal grandparents, Reuben and Lura Melton, and maternal grandparents, James and Ethyl Williams.
Billy was a member of the Trinity Pentecostal Tabernacle of Long Beach, MS. He was a kind and generous man who always left you smiling. He was a selfless and giving person, and dearly loved by his family. Christmas was his favorite season of the year and to be in heaven on Christmas Day surely must be a joy to him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Trinity Pentecostal Tabernacle in Long Beach at 7pm, where friends may visit from 5:30pm until the service.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road in Long Beach, served the family.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com