Billy Joe Hawthorne, 76, was born March 12, 1943 in Taylor, Arkansas to the late O.C. and the late Mamie Lee Hawthorne. He was the sixth of seven children and was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Hawthorne and sister, Catherine Hawthorne Harden. God called him home on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 with his family by his side.

Billy was baptized in 1951 by Rev. Floyd Shepard at Antioch Baptist Church, Magnolia, Arkansas. He was educated in the Arkansas public schools. He later moved to the Kansas City area where he made his home over forty years.

Billy sang with the Dixie Land Gospel singers at a young age. He always used his gift of singing to uplift all. A man of great faith, he was amember of the Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon on June 27, 2009. He was currently a member of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership Dr. John Modest Miles.

Billy was a great family man and friend, always willing to help anyone in any way he could. He was an avid CBer affectionately known as "Jesse James". He loved old western movies and WWE wrestling.

Survivors left to cherish his memories are: his loving and supportive wife, Cynthia; daughter Sharon Lewis (Kendrick) of Bosier City, LA; son Barry Joe White (Debra) of Springhill, LA, daughter Cynthia Lejones Hawthorne of Kansas City, son Todd Hawthorne (Gwendolyn) of Kansas City, MO, daughter Sierra Allen-Williams (Markee) of Kansas City; god-daughter Tasia Smith of Kansas City, MO; step-children Lakeith Collins and Cecilia Lampkins; brother J.T. Hawthorne (Ruthell) of Haynesville, LA; three sisters, Syble Thomas (Wallace) of Fontana, CA, Mary Jewel Ellis of Magnolia, AR, and Mary Elizabeth Shane of Houston, TX; 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and his devoted pet Coco.

Funeral services Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.