Billy Roy Murray, of Shelbyville, passed this life on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 at his home at the age of 83.

Billy was born in Tullahoma to the late William Murray and Mary Petty Roll. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy and went on to work as an Electronics Technician at Bell South which later became ATT. Billy, along with his wife Dale, owned and operated a 130-acre farm in Bedford County where they raised beef cattle and Tennessee Walking Horses. He held a Master Judge License for the Spotted Saddle Horse Association and judged local, state, and national championship horse shows on multiple occasions. Billy was especially proud to have been chosen to judge the spotted saddle horse division of the 4-H Regional Show and a two-time judge for the State 4-H Championship Shows. He was a charter member of the Moore County Horseman’s Association, which raised money to support 4-H activities and provided scholarships for deserving 4-H children. Billy was also a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and the Lynchburg Lions Club where he served as president on three different occasions. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Johnny Lee Murray.

Billy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dale C. Murray; one daughter, Faye Lynn Coffey (Johnny Walker); one grandson, Bryce Murray Coffey (Lauren); one sister, Alice Faye Freeman; and nephews, Ron and Don Freeman.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with the funeral to immediately follow at 1 p.m. with Tom Brantley officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with Doyle Bradford, Cannon Bearden, Clark Bearden, Bryce Murray Coffey, Billy Rymer, and David Wright serving as pallbearers. Mr. Murray was very thankful for the care provided by Dr. Richard Cole, the Adoration Home Health Nurse and Physical Therapist, Hospice Compassus, the many individual caregivers that assisted him, and the Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County for their help during his journey with Parkinson’s Disease. If you choose, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Billy’s memory may be made to the Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County, c/o Mrs. Dana Bobo, P.O. Box 584, Shelbyville, TN 37162; or to Hillview Baptist Church c/o Pastor Tom Brantley, 3113 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Moore County News – March 5, 2026