Billy Gordon Diamond, or Bill as he was called by his family and friends, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the age of 86.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Ferrel Mae and Walter Allen Diamond, Sr., his brothers, Walter Allen Diamond, Jr., Thomas Wesley Daimond and Mack Colley Diamond.

He is survived by his daughter, Ingrid Smith (Scott); two grandsons, Ian (Krysten) and Sean Smith; and great-grandchildren, Frankie, Cameron and Olivia Smith.  He is also survived by his remaining siblings, Martha Diamond and Paul Diamond, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Bill’s devoted friend, Betty Deese, stood beside him for seventeen years and her children, Angie, Amanda and Stacy, were as close to him as his biological family.

Billy was a devoted Navy man and was a chief and journalist while serving. He often times said he would reenlist if he were younger. 

He was loved greatly and will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL. There will be a time of visitation before the service beginning at 12PM followed by the service at 12:45PM. Interment will follow at 2PM at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any of the following:

St. Jude’s at https://www.stjude.org/donate
Wounded Warriors at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
American Lung Association at https://www.lung.org/

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.