Billy Lorenza Layfield died on January 25th, in Opelika, Alabama, at the age 95.
Funeral Services will be held at 11AM (EST) on Monday, January 31, 2022 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Mr. Jerry Scarborough officiating. Active pallbearers will be Andrew Paek, D. J. Layfield, Don Paek, Bill Crowley, David Layfield, and Trevor Humphrey. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home.
Billy “Redbird” was born on February 1, 1926 in Phenix City to Lowdy and Lucille Layfield, the second of four sons. He resided in Phenix City until joining the U.S. Navy during WWII. Returning home, Billy completed his senior year at Phenix City’s Central High School, during which time he became reacquainted with a young lady, Elaine Mann. They were married during Spring Break. Billy worked as a Linotype Machinist at the Ledger Enquirer until retirement; for three years, he joined Elaine on his weekends off to serve as house parents at the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home.
Billy and Elaine were blessed to celebrate 73 anniversaries, many of which occurred surrounded by their growing family.
Mr. Layfield was preceded in death by his brothers, David Jackson Layfield and James Harold Layfield; daughter-in-law, Marsha Layfield; and his grandsons, Christopher Layfield and Donald Paek, Jr.
Billy was a faithful Christian who loved to read his worn-out Bible. He greeted everyone, even those he didn’t know, reaching out particularly to children and those who needed encouragement. He loved Auburn football, family trips and reunions, the Smoky Mountains, working in his yard, walking, and shooting the bull with his friends. He and Elaine worked at Yellowstone Park for two summers; his grandson, Andrew, joined him another summer.
Billy is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Carol (Don) Paek, Jack (Marty) Layfield, Neal (Cris) Layfield, and Jan (Bill) Crowley; one brother, Clifford Layfield; his grandchildren, D.J. Layfield, Jennifer Humphrey, Elizabeth McAshan, Andrew Paek, Laura Gutierrez, Joni Anderson, Danielle Crowley, Hannah Crowley, and Marci Crowley. His legacy lives on through his great-grandchildren, David, Maci, Jenna Grace, Kierra, Ashlyn, Rowan, Violet, Daphne, Roxas, and Luna.