William Clayton “Billy” Florence, of Mt. Sterling, formerly of Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at St. Joseph Hospital, with his family by his side, having attained the age of 67. Billy was born on May 22, 1952 in Bourbon County, the son of the late Ira Clayton “Sweet Pea” and Betty Hinkle Florence. He was a retired farmer, an avid hunter, fisherman, former Chief of Little Rock Volunteer Fire Department, and member of Peyton’s Lick Christian Church, having been baptized on July 22, 2014. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Florence Cook.

Surviving is his wife, Willa Jones Florence, of Mt. Sterling; their children, Jeanna (Arick) Abney of Mt. Vernon, Brad Florence of Indiana, and Julie Florence-Tamayo of North Middletown. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, Kalynn, Isaiah and Gareth Holbrook of Painstville, Aricka Abney of Mt. Vernon, Abby, Tatiana, Jon-Carlos Tamayo and Montgomery Fryman of North Middletown. Also surviving is a sister, Mary Allen Hedges of Paris and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for William Clayton “Billy” Florence will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at Hinton-Turner Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Perry officiating. Interment will follow in North Middletown Cemetery with casket bearers being Kevin Bentley, Davey Asbury, Charlie DeAtley, Tyler Havens and Nathan Graves. Honorary bearers are Carl McGlone, Joe Parker, Tony Gaines, Rex Rawlings, Satch Brown, Paul Lyons, Rufus Hartmann, Jr., and Clinton Graves.

The visitation will be on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Hinton-Turner Funeral Home.