Billie Rhea King, 72, of Inverness, Mississippi died on the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2026.  He was born January 8, 1954, to Albert Loyd and Clara Marie Peden King.

Billie Rhea spent his school years at Inverness High School and Indianola Academy; he furthered his education at Mississippi Delta Junior College and the University of Mississippi. He was employed with Y-D and Virden Lumber Companies, as well as Peter Skop Industries for many years. During his retirement he worked for Burton Funeral Home.

He married Barbara Guinn Beckham on July 11, 1981. They went on to rear two children, Anna Thompson Wright (Brad) of Greenwood, MS, and Brenton Beckham King of Florence, AL.  Being an avid fisherman, he enjoyed spending his free time on Lake Whittington. He was a loving and active individual who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and walking his dog, Sassy.

Billie Rhea was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loyd King; siblings, Marie Alexander Mansur and Arthur Alexander; and sister-in-law Ann McCurdy (Joe).  He is survived by his wife, Barbie, children, Anna Thompson and Brenton, and grandsons, James Bradley Wright, Jr. and Whitley Ross Wright. The following extended family members are also of note: the families of Will and Traci Beckham, Lee and Denise Beckham, Rick and Frankie Hall, Whitney Rodgers, and David Landwirth.

Visitation will be held at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola, MS, on Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. A brief memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made with Delta Wildlife or St. Jude Children's Hospital.