Billy Lagrand Wood

b. 22 November 1933, d. 18 February 2012
  • Billy Lagrand Wood was born on 22 November 1933 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
  • William Arnett Beckham and Ruth Brown appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, at 461 Haynes. Other members of the household included Billy Lagrand Wood, Allene Beckham. Allene and Billy are enumerated on a page separately from her family, with marginal notations on both linking them. Also in the household are sons Frank C. (age 26) and Bill A. Jr. (25), grandson Bobby F. Beckham (4), and nephews Robert C. (31) and Sam N. (36) Vaught.
  • The following appeared on 29 June 1959 in the Memphis Press-Scimitar: Homer Lagrand (Bugs) Wood Jr., who had been ill for some time, was driven to Central Christian Church about 9:30 a.m. yesterday by his wife. She let him out and he entered the church to attend the Men's Bible Class. After she had parked the car she returned to the church to find that he had suffered a fatal heart attack. He was dead on arrival at Baptist Hospital about 10:10 a.m. He was 46.
         Mr. Wood, a lifelong resident of Memphis, was a star football player at South Side High School, where he graduated in 1932. He served as a sergeant in the Field Artillery in Europe during World War II, and was awarded the bronze star.
         A salesman for Williams Shade and Awning Co. the past four years he lived at 476 Simpson, and was a member of Central Christian Church and Angerona Masonic Lodge 168.
         He leaves his wife, Mrs. Helen Davis Wood; two sons, Terry and Billy Wood, and his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Wood Sr., all of Memphis. His father is manager of the Minnow Shop on S. Bellevue and well known to Memphis sportsmen.
         Services at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at National Funeral Home, Dr. James D. Sill officiating. Burial in Mt. Vernon Gardens.
  • He married Agnes Evelyn Hurst on 12 February 1964 in Shelby County, Tennessee, by license issued the 6th, with Eugene F. Utterback, MG, officiating.
  • Billy Lagrand Wood became a widower at the 2 April 1999 death of his wife Agnes Evelyn Hurst.
  • The following appeared on 3 April 1999 in The Commercial Appeal: Agnes E. Wood, 82, of Memphis, retired head cashier for Surplus City, died of pneumonia Friday at Methodist Hospital South. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel with burial in Memorial Park Southwoods. She was a member of Evangel Church of the Assemblies of God. Mrs. Wood, the wife of Billy L. Wood, leaves a daughter, Lavada B. Bryant of Atlanta, and two grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Evangel Church of the Assemblies of God.
  • Billy Lagrand Wood died on 18 February 2012 at age 78.
  • He was interred at Memorial Park South Woods Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
  • The following appeared on 20 February 2012 in The Commercial Appeal: Billy Lagrand "Radar" Wood went to join his Lord and Savior on February 18, 2012. He was born in Memphis, TN on November 22, 1933. He was a graduate of Southside High School where he was a member of the Scrapper Football Team. He attended Northwest Mississippi Junior College where he also played football with Ranger Football Team and Memphis State University. Mr. Wood was a member of the First Assembly of God in Collierville, TN. He retired from Strike King Lure Company and the Old Surplus City Store. Mr. Wood was preceded in death by his loving wife, Agnes Wood. Surviving family members are his brother, Pete Brim; his stepdaughter, Lavada Bryant; nephews, nieces and many close friends. The funeral service will by Tuesday, February 21, at 2 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. The visitation will also be held on Tuesday from 12 p.m. until service time. Interment will be at Memorial Park - South Woods in Memphis. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to First Assembly of God in Collierville, Tennessee.
  • Last Edited: 5 May 2015

Family: Agnes Evelyn Hurst b. 1 September 1916, d. 2 April 1999