Warren Billy Benefield

Billy Benefield…Fine! Fine! What a way to be remembered.

When asked the question…”What does Papaw say?”…his 2 year old great granddaughter responded with “Appaw say FINE, FINE”. From the mouths of babes we get Billy Benefield’s most frequently expressed opinion. Anyone who spent any time with him heard him say just that….It’s fine, fine.

And it was Fine.

It IS FINE when at age 88, you spend your last day bushhogging the farm you worked for 57 years;

It IS FINE when you come inside and have watermelon for your last meal.

It IS FINE when God decided to take you that the ironclad gift of eternal life puts you at the feet of Jesus.

It is especially FINE for those of us remaining to KNOW where he is and that we, like him, can be FINE, FINE by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Warren Billy Benefield was born May 10, 1938, in Etheridge, TN at the family home. Billy was the 3rd of 8 children born to Grady and Allie Benefield, who provided a Christian home for the children to experience and continue the legacy that lives on through children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren today. Billy was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife Carolyn Wiley Benefield and by these siblings: Ruth Johnson, Wayne Benefield, and Bertha Benefield. Billy is survived by siblings: Sue (Robert) Lyons, Delano (Pud) Benefield, Mike (Margaret) Benefield, and Kathy (Bobby) Burleson. Billy’s family is Fine, Fine.

In 1957 he met his wife, Carolyn, and they have two sons Jeff (Kim) Benefield and Steve (TracyAnn) Benefield. They have three grandchildren – Charley (Carson) Clanton, Blake (Cori) Benefield, and Andrew (Lexi) Benefield. They have six great grandchildren - Wiley and Tillman Clanton; Collins Bell, Hattie Grace, Blair, and Jones Benefield. Billy and Carolyn’s life together was Fine, Fine.

Billy worked at Monsanto Chemical (thru shutdown) until retiring in 1992 after 30 plus years to farm full time. Billy reflected a legacy of service to the community by serving as a County Commissioner for more than a decade, various agriculture boards, and coaching his son’s baseball teams to many championships for more than 20 years. Billy enjoyed his time with family and friends. Through the years he has cherished his relationships through his hunting (recently with “One More Time Gang”), fishing trips, Bucky’s, Planet Fitness, and life at Riverview Baptist Church. Most important to Billy was the legacy within his Christian life through his leadership for Royal Ambassadors, his gift of singing with the Riverview Baptist Church, singing with the Riverview Ramblers, and his service as Deacon and Deacon Leader. His community life was FINE, Fine.

Billy’s routines were FINE, his family was FINE, his life was FINE, and all that because his faith in Christ was FINE, FINE.

Visitation with the family will be 4pm to 7pm Monday, October 5, 2026. Services will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia, TN at 10am. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

Billy leaves behind many loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives to cherish his memories. Pallbearers will be Blake Benefield, Andrew Benefield, Carson Clanton, Scott Davis, Stan Davis, Bo Benefield, Lane Burleson, Logan Parrott, and Dustin Rose. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Riverview Baptist Church Men’s Group, One More Time Gang, Bucky’s Team and Jumbo House Team.

Memorials may be made to Riverview Baptist Church, 798 Santa Fe Pike, Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.