Billy Davis Green
Billy Davis Green, a Chattanooga sports icon, educator, and civic leader, who personified the splendid type of broad, public-spirited citizen, died August 15, 2021, under the compassionate care of Hospice of Chattanooga at their facility. He was 85. He was of the Baptist faith. He had been an active member for many years with the Masonic Order Scottish Rite Alhambra Temple Shriners, and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Big Brothers of Greater Chattanooga, and Chattanooga Half-Century Club.
Billy, as he was affectionately greeted by most of Chattanooga, was known for his fairness, honesty, modesty, generosity, dependability, unswerving loyalty, and joyous humility. He was a man of high ideals, of kind heart and noble emotions, love of animals, and with the interest of his family, friends, and teammates always front-and-center. He was a moving spirit in activities that tended toward the growth and betterment of this town. He liked and enjoyed Country & Western and Gospel Music.
A former machine shop founder at the Chattanooga State Area Vocational School, he took a keen interest in his students and helped find jobs for over 500 past students.
Billy was born on May 30, 1936. He grew up on 13th Avenue in East Lake, where he began his sports career playing at the East Lake Recreation Center, as well as with organized sports teams at the Elementary and High School levels. Billy graduated from East Lake Elementary and Junior High Schools, was a 1956 proud graduate of Kirkman Vocational High School, where he was President of his Senior Class, and where he played basketball and baseball. Billy was a true patriot. He always put America first and his support of the military was appreciated by all veterans. Billy was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he won an Industrial Scholarship in the Co-op program with the Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, the world’s largest of its kind. He was also offered a baseball scholarship at the University of Cincinnati, which he declined. While in Cincinnati, he knew Sandy Koufax and Pete Rose. Billy also worked out in Chattanooga on the baseball diamond with local professional greats, Harmon Killebrew and Bob Allison.
Billy had a spectacular Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball career, where he played infield with the legendary teams, the Chattanooga Gas Company Flames, and the Capital Motors Toyota. Billy played on teams which were in 23 State Tournaments and 23 Regional Tournaments, and 2 World Tournaments. The 1st World Tournament, Billy’s team, Chattanooga Gas Company Flames, finished 4th in the World, losing to the Providence, R.I. team, in 24 innings, by a 1 – 0 score. The 2nd World Tournament, Billy’s team, Capital Motors Toyota, finished 9th in the World. After his Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball career, Billy played for eight years on some competitive Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball teams, where he played 3rd base. Billy is a member of the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee ASA Hall of Fame. Billy was a loyal teammate and he had a special comradery relationship with his past teammates throughout his lifetime. He said that he was quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to play his softball career with some of the greatest athletes and teammates in the Chattanooga area.
Billy was preceded in death by his mother, Velma Chambers Green, his father, Ira J. Green, his brother, Thomas (Sandra (still living)) Green, and infant brother, Medford Lee Green, and his sisters, Elizabeth Trixie (Buck) Turner, and Hazel (Bill) Watson) and his wife, Carolyn Staggs. Billy is survived by his super friend and companion, Donna Dodson, several nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
The Chattanooga Funeral Home, Highway 153 Chapel, is handling the arrangements where his body will be cremated. There will be no visitation or public service per Billy’s request. There will be a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alhambra Children’s Foundation, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and Disabled Veterans National Foundation.
Please visit: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/Hixson-tn , to add a memory and to share your condolences to the family.
Billy’s last testimonial to all; The simplest way to get to Heaven is: 1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, 2. Ask Him for forgiveness for all your sins and mistakes in judgement, 3. Be good to all those you come in contact with. Do these simple things and you will be in heaven for all eternity.