Billy was an active member of the Buena Vista Fire Department for the past 37 years. During those years, he served as a firefighter, EMT, instructor, fire police and treasurer. Billy was recognized during the years with many awards in honor of outstanding service and dedication to the fire department and the city of Buena Vista. Billy was retired from Mohawk after 42 years of employment.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Claytor; his parents-in-law, David and Ann O’Connor; his grandparents, Toby and Mae Ferguson, Elizabeth Conner Johnson; and Henry Jefferson Conner; and his uncle, Bill Ferguson.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Bernadette “Bernie”; his daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Derrick Smith; and his precious grandson, Corbyn Smith. Also his father and stepmother, Thomas and Mary Conner; his stepfather, Eddie (Georgette) Claytor; brother, Tony (Cathy) Conner; sisters, Linda (Shorty) Berkstresser and Mary Ann Brooks; stepbrother, Chris (Sherry) Higgins; nephew, Jeff (Kaylee) Conner; nieces, Sarah and Iceland Sensabaugh, Michelle Lawton, and Makaylin (Russel) Bibbo; uncles, aunts, cousins; and many, many good friends.

Billy was a longtime dedicated fan of the University of Virginia athletics and of NASCAR racing and spent many hours at ball games and races with his brother, Tony, and all his friends.

He was a wonderful husband and father and the best PawPaw ever. He was taken much too soon and way too quickly and will be missed more than words can express.

A funeral service was conducted Saturday, Oct. 7, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel with Pastor Butch Grow and Pastor Tommy Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Green Hill Cemetery. N-G