Billy Melvin

Billy Melvin, a loving husband, dad, papa, and great-papa, was born on November 20, 1948, in Crestview, Florida. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 22, 2025, while at Clear Sky Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake City Florida, following an illness.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Anne B. Melvin, and his older brother, J.D. Melvin, all from Lake Butler, Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Melvin; his daughters, Elaine (Jon) Buchanan and Dessie (David) Calihou; his grandchildren, Nikki Doan, Rayla Horn, Robin (Erica) Buchanan, and Aaron Horn; and his great-grandchildren, Emmett Horn, Waylon Buchanan, and T.J. Horn.

Billy proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He later retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he worked as a counselor in Talladega, Alabama.

A lifelong athlete, Billy played football, basketball, baseball and ran track for Union County High School. He spent most of his life in Lake Butler, Florida. He was an avid Union County Tiger, born and bred. He always supported them by buying their latest Tiger apparel. When they won the state championship Billy had his sister in law go get him the state championship shirt he was in Talladega at the time and couldn’t stand the thought of not having one.

Billy loved his daughters and grandchildren more than anything. Saturdays usually meant Gator football and his wife’s famous wings. As the boys got older, their friends were always welcome, and Billy treated them like his own. He didn’t miss a chance to give someone a hard time or get a laugh, and being PAPA and GREAT PAPA was his favorite role.

Billy will be remembered for the life he built with his family and the memories they shared together.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation for Billy on Friday, December 26, 2025, from 6pm - 8pm. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 1:00pm. Billy will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Dekle Cemetery will military honors. Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve the Melvin family during this difficult time. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com