Billy Mike Colburn, also known as “Possum” to his close friends and family, was a native of Chickasaw, AL and a resident of Gulf Shores, AL, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the age of 74.
Billy was a 1967 graduate of Vigor High School. He served in the United States Army and served in Korea and Germany. He made some special friends while serving in the Army, who became part of our family. In 1973, he graduated from the first EMT School in Baldwin County. Billy worked for Newmans Ambulance Service for many years driving ambulances for them, and where he met and made many friends over the years. He always considered himself as part of the Newman’s family and loved them all dearly. He retired from Honeywell-UOP.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing in the Gulf, hunting in Bullock County and just watching wildlife.
Billy loved his family more than anything. From the time the boys were born, he had them watching football, telling them stories about hunting and fishing and his days in the Army. He adored his grandchildren, and they were the light of his life. He also loved his nieces and nephews and never failed to mention all of them, including the great and great-great ones.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Ludie Colburn, sisters, Dorothy Colburn, Van James and Gladys Harry, and one brother, Rayford Colburn.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Jeannie Elise Nichols Colburn; his two sons, Jason Colburn of Saraland, AL and Justin Colburn of Burnsville, MS; his grandchildren, Kaeley Colburn, Jackson Colburn, Mason Colburn and Wyatt Colburn; siblings, Evelyn Massey, Betty Faye Sizemore, JoAnn Ferrell and Sue Jockisch; nieces, nephews; his grand-dog, Turbo; along with other family members and many, many friends.
Billy you will be forever loved and missed.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at City Hope Church, 29964 St. Basil Street in Daphne, AL, at 11:30AM. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation before the service beginning at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL, at 1PM. Following the burial, the family invites everyone to join them for a reception honoring “Possom” at Belforest Point, 26503 Highway 181 in Daphne.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate
Expressions of condolences for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Some friendships can never be replaced!
Friendship is always a responsibility never an opportunity, you will truly be missed! I’m so grateful to have had you as a close and dear friend! R. I. H. Mr Colburn ! 🙏🏼🕊️🙏🏼🕊️
JOHN 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Rev 21 : 1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;
and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
R.I.H. My dear friend Mr . Billy Colburn aka Mr. Possum 🕊️🙏🏼🕊️🙏🏼
Billy was truly one of a kind! He loved his family very much and he never met a stranger. He was kind and friendly to everyone he met. We will always share our “Possum” stories and have the greatest memories of a truly wonderful and dear man. We will always miss you and love you dearly, Billy!
Billy was a great coworker, I don’t think he ever realized how everyone would settle down when he showed up on a First Responder alarm. He was so smart and knowledgeable on first aid and helping people. Everyone I know at UOP loved him. It was truly a blessing knowing him and having him to be part of lives , on this short time we are on this earth. RIP Billy , we all love you
I sure enjoyed your stories
Billy, not Possum to me, was a gentleman and a good man never meeting a stranger. He would help anyone without judgement and loved his family and friends. I will miss the pictures and stories, watching China, Germany and New Orleans live web cams and even the Slow rides! He was my “Cuz” and I loved him dearly.
Worked lots of accidents with Possum when I worked for Tri City back in the day a well know and nice person
Cousin Billy … as my granddaughter referred to him will be sadly missed. Such a wonderful and thoughtful person, always thinking of others. I too will miss talking to him sharing the stories of grandchildren, friends from here and abroad and all the wonderful photos of grandchildren, Germany and the memories of years at Newmans . I know he dearly loved his friends, family and especially children, grandchildren , nieces, nephews and his little girl Jeannie his wife and my wonderful cousin. Love all of you . Praying that God will give you strength and peace in days to come. Deepest sympathy, Gary & Leigh
I worked with Possum for many years at UOP. He was deeply loved by everyone. I had the honor to travel with Possum to South Korea for a job with UOP. We had the greatest time there just people watching and walking around the city of Ulsan. Even in Korea everyone who met Possum loved him deeply…treated him like a rock star! My deepest condolences to the family.
Billy never met a stranger, and didn’t pass judgment on others. His family was most to precious to him. Possum was known around the world as he always made an impression on people. I still remember the first time I met him in 1988. I also still laugh about some some of the adventures we had together in China. Billy will be missed but not forgotten.
Mr Possum was such a kind soul with a bright spirit that projected on all that had the honor of meeting him. Rest easy my friend until we meet again.