Billy J. Langford , 89, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Carthage. He was born on Oct. 3, 1928, in Shreveport, LA to the late Homer Baugh and Ivy Mae Jarvis Langford. Mr. Langford graduated from Carthage High School. He married Varnell "Nell" Hammons on Dec. 10, 1949, in Beckville and she preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2016. Mr. Langford was a successful businessman and civic leader in Carthage. He started work at an early age delivering ice for iceboxes, throwing newspapers, and selling and delivering Standard Coffee. He worked as a top insurance salesman for National Life Insurance Co. for over 25 years. He also built homes in the area, did contract mowing for the State of Texas, and worked as a cattle rancher. Mr. Langford was a member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521, Sharon Temple Shrine, and was a member and officer of the Kiwanis Club in Carthage. He served Chairman on the Panola County General Hospital Board, which later became ETMC. Mr. Langford served as president of the Panola County Landowners Assn. and was a founding member of Riderville Water Supply. Billy was a well known and respected local historian of Panola County. He lived his lifetime in Carthage and was the oldest living member and past deacon of Friendship Baptist Church.

Survivors include his children, Vickie Lacy of Carthage, Mark Langford and wife Janice of Carthage, Steve Langford and wife Kristie of Flint, and David Langford and friend Ricardo Vargas of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren, Brandi LaGrone and husband Garrett, Tyler Langford and friend Kaysee Broussard, Logan Langford, and Landon Langford; and great-grandchildren, Madi, Ally, and Levi.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bob Scott and Dr. Dale Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Dell Brown, Buddy Langford, Bobby Langford, Garrett LaGrone, Elvin Fontenot, and Brandon Pinkston.

Honorary pallbearers are Eldon Wilkerson, Lynn Vincent, Jim Payne, and Phil Tiller.

Memorials may be made to Friendship Cemetery, P.O. 1530, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.