BILL R. AUSTIN, JR.

WILLIAM RAY AUSTIN, JR., a resident of Memphis, former resident of Fayette County and retired Regional Sales Manager for Pop Tunes in Memphis died Wednesday morning, December 9, 2009 at his residence. He was 68 years of age.

Funeral services for Mr. Austin were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, December 14th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Eugene Norris of Southaven, Mississippi, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Lamb Cemetery located in the Lambert Community near Somerville. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Austin, known by his friends and associates as Bill, was born April 11, 1941 in Memphis. He was the son of the late William Ray Austin, Sr. and the late Bernice Steward Austin.

Mr. Austin Graduated from the Treadwell High School in Memphis and as a young person served in the United States Navy Reserve.

He was a longtime employee of Poplar Tunes Record Company where he served customers all across the Mid-South. He also had a successful career in the printing industry and was currently employed at Riverside Printing.

Mr. Austin, a member of the Bellevue Baptist Church had a great love for music, rose gardening and his beloved dog, "Ruby".

Bill had a special father-like relationship with Jeff Martin and Lisa Martin Monroe. His love and devotion will be sorely missed by them, their families and all of those that were close to Bill. His love for Jesus Christ was his anchor through life.

Mr. Austin had extended family members in Fayette County and is survived by two sisters, Wanda Austin of Memphis and Ann Sheperd of Hagerstown, Maryland and one brother, Tony Austin of Texarkana, Arkansas. He is also survived by his close family friends, Bo and Sherry Martin of Memphis; Randy and Lisa Monroe (Sadie) of Lakeland and Jeff and Audra Martin (Sidney, Cameron and Presley) of Memphis.

Those who honored Mr. Austin by serving as pallbearers were Bo Martin, Jeff Martin, Randy Monroe and Jimbo Martin.

The family requests that memorials be directed the Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000, Appling Road, Cordova, TN 38016; Phone: (901) 347-2000.