Billy Ray Cotton, a life long resident of Bogalusa, passed away Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at his residence in Bogalusa, at the age of 76. He was born in Bogalusa on Dec. 10, 1942. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Mary Fontenot Cotton; his sons, Bobby Joe Cotton and wife Christine and Billy Joe Cotton and wife Helen; his daughter, Tina Cotton Jones and husband Michael A. Jones; a son-in-law, Mark Stevens; three brothers, Johnny Cotton, Wayne Cotton, and Lonnie Roy Cotton; three sisters, Alice Faye Freeman, Brenda Gayle Penton, and Sybil Beall; his 12 grandchildren, Brandon Higginbotham, Stephen Jones, Tyler Jones, Kayla Cotton, Blake Cotton, Reece Cotton, Emily Phillips, Megan Hunt, Jacob Phillips, Joshua Phillips, Hailie Cotton, and Mandy Sheridan. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, other relatives, and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lovic and Mandy Cotton; his daughter, Cynthia Cotton Stevens; and his brother, Robert Cotton.

Visitation was held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 1. The family received friends from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Visitation will continue at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. The Rev. Larry Lassley and the Rev. Marcus Rosa will officiate. Interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Higginbotham, Stephen Jones, Tyler Jones, Blake Cotton, Reece Cotton, and Jacob Phillips. Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Adams and Christopher Stafford.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.