Billy Daniel Hart, 75, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Madison County Memorial Hospital.
Born on Sept. 19, 1942, Billy was a lifelong resident and a sixth generation native of Madison County. Hart grew up around Lake Francis and graduated from Madison High School in 1960. He was the owner of Hart’s Auto Parts for many years, worked at Madison Auto and Tractor Parts, Pronto Auto Parts, and later retired from Corporate Graphics.
He was a longtime member and golfer at Madison Country Club, a lifetime member and former Exalted Ruler of the Madison Elks Lodge, a diehard Gator fan, and an avid watcher of old westerns. A devoted husband and father, he loved spending time with his family, especially on their many trips to St. George Island.
Hart was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell Hart and Mary Louise Henderson, and his brother, Jim “Snuffy” Hughey.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean Arnold Hart; his three children, Bill (Robin) Hart, Steve (Kathryn) Hart, and Rhonda (Jeff) Hutto, all of Madison; his grandchildren: Jennifer (Wayne) Kelly, Danielle (Gerry) Roberts, Josh Hart, Caleb Hart, Ashley Cantey, Kylee Hutto; 10 great grandchildren; and his brother Ronnie (Marie) Hart, of Crystal River.
Visitation was held on Friday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m., with funeral services following at 3 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, in Madison, with longtime friend and neighbor Rev. Tom Kelley officiating.