Funeral services for Mr. William "Billy" Speed will be at 2:30 pm on Friday, March 19, 2021, at Leaf River Baptist Church. Mr. Speed was 79 years of age and passed away from this life on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Hattiesburg. Dr. Dorman Laird and Reverend Jim Ingram will officiate. Mrs. Ann Rogers and Mr. Kevin Polk will provide the musical service. Interment will be in the Leaf River Baptist Church Cemetery.

Wade Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be James M. Rogers, Jerry Warren Purvis, Don Speed, Jamie Quick, Hugh Cherrie, Rick Hobson, Jason Flynt, and Jonathan Flynt. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Clayton Speed, Kari Williamson, Wanda Hobson, Lisa Bounds, Todd Hobson, and Earl Anderson.

James William Speed was born September 24, 1941, in Hattiesburg to James Monroe Speed and Hazel Jean Warren Speed. Mr. Speed was a veteran of the Army National Guard and the U.S. Navy. Mr. Speed retired from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and was a member of Leaf River Baptist Church.

Mr. Speed was preceded in death by his mother and Father; 1 daughter, Faith McQueen Speed; grandparents, Wood and Myrtle Rogers Speed and William and Molly Catherine Warren.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Anderson Speed of Collins, 1 son, Michael Speed of Moselle; a step-mother, Sammie Speed of Mt. Olive; 1 sister, Rachel Flynt (Don) of Collins; and 2 brothers, Roger Wood Speed (Trish) and David M. Speed (Judy), all of Collins; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 18, 2021, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Wade Funeral Home and on Friday from 1:00 pm until service time at Leaf River Baptist Church.