Billy Thomas Rickard
U.S. Army 1962 – 1965
Billy Thomas Rickard, the son of William Rickard, Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Rose, was born Jan. 6, 1945, in Shelby County, Tenn. He was a sophomore student at Byars Hall High School when he made the decision to enter military service, joining the United States Army on Sept. 21, 1962, at the age of 17.
Entering the service as a private at Fort Jackson, S.C., Billy received his initial military training and advance individual training (AIT) there and graduated as an 11Bravo – Light Weapons Infantryman. He completed additional military training at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he attended U.S. Army Airborne training school earning the coveted Parachutist Badge, an amazing feat for someone who had never even flown in an airplane, let alone jump from one!
During his three-year term of active duty, he served with distinction and honor with the 82nd Airborne and 1stBattalion, 508th Infantry, 3rd Army, serving in both the U.S. and in the Dominican Republic.
Billy demonstrated unwavering commitment and exemplary performance in every mission he undertook, as evident through the decorations he earned. Reaching the rank of Specialist (SP4 (P)), he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
After completing his active-duty service, Billy was honorably discharged as a Specialist at Ft. Bragg, NC, on Sept. 20, 1965, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves, continuing his commitment to serve and protect our nation.
Billy and his wife, Myra, bought Pappy & Jimmies, the legendary Memphis restaurant which first opened in 1947, in 1980. He moved the restaurant to his hometown of Covington in 2010, where he can be found working there every day.
Billy and his wife, the former Miss Myra Gilbreath and a Covington native as well, were married on Feb. 10, 1968, and celebrated 56 years of marriage this year. They are the proud parents of two children, Kimberly McGill and Billy Rickard, Jr., and the proud grandparents of five and one great-grandchild.
Billy Rickard’s service to our country and continued service to Covington and Tipton County embodies the highest value of the United States Army. His courage, integrity and dedication to duty serve as an inspiration to all who know him.
Billy was nominated by Covington Police Chief Donna Turner.