Billy Joe Steward

Mr. Billy Joe Steward, 68, of Union City died Monday, November 14, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in East View Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Saturday at the church. He was born April 20, 1948, to the late Odie Louis Steward and Mary Edna Rowsey Steward.He graduated from Miles High School in 1967. He also graduated from Dyersburg State Community College and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. He served as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Vietnam War, he received many commendations: the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campagin Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Department of Navy, Navy Achievement Medal. He was a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. He retired as a captain from The Northwest Correctional Complex where he worked for over 20 years, a former lieutenant with the Union City Police Department and a manager at Sherwin Williams. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years Katie Taylor Steward of Union City; a daughter Tara Steward Corder of Murfreesboro; four siblings, Bettye Steward Hilliard of South Fulton, Paul Steward of Elkart, IN, Queen Steward and Michael Steward of Union City and a host of nieces and nephews. Rawls Funeral Home – Union City 731-885-8110