Billy C. Hudson Sr. recalled as great civic, business leader as well as a man of faith

Friends, family members and colleagues describe the late Mississippi Sen. Billy Cyril Hudson Sr. as a towering figure in Forrest County’s business, civic and political communities.

“He was a tremendous blessing to many people,” said Cliff Lazenby, senior pastor of Hattiesburg Community Church where visitation and services for Hudson, 84, were held earlier this month. Hudson died Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Forrest General Hospital.

“We had visitation on Friday (Dec. 2) evening from 5 until 8 p.m. and I would say there were probably between 400 and 500 people there if not more,” Lazenby said. Funeral services followed on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Musical selections provided by church Music Pastor Ed Phillips included “Victory in Jesus,” “I Bowed on my Knees and Cried Holy,” and “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor,” the latter a gospel song made popular by the Gaither Vocal Band, Johnny Russell, the Oak Ridge Boys and others.

“Billy was an icon. Everything he did he did well,” Lazenby said.

Admired for his many accomplishments as a county supervisor, state senator, cattleman and former CEO of Hudson’s Salvage Inc., Lazenby said Hudson was passionate in his desire to help people in need.

Hudson’s children recalled their father would always be the first in line to help a neighbor, often donating clothes, groceries and other essential items to families whose house had burned or who had suffered other misfortune.

Hudson was also a longtime member of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and traveled widely to preach to others and give witness to his Christian beliefs.

“His most important purpose in life was his relationship with the Lord,” Lazenby said.

Hudson was born to parents Henry Cyril Hudson and Trygen Williamson Hudson on June 16, 1938. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi as well as the University of Arizona and Perkinston Junior College (today Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College).

He met his wife, Barbara Ward Hudson, in Hattiesburg when she owned and operated Burkett’s Restaurant in the city.

Hudson began his business and political career as an alderman in Magee where he also volunteered as a fireman and opened his first salvage retailing business. He returned to Hattiesburg in the late 1990s where he was elected to serve on the Forrest County Board of Supervisors representing District 5, a position he held for eight years — four of them as board president.

In 2007 Hudson was elected to serve in the Mississippi Senate representing District 45 (Forrest and Perry counties) where he served three terms. A Republican, Hudson for many years served as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He also served on the Senate County Affairs Committee (vice chairman); Senate Education Committee; Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee; Labor Committee; Finance Committee; Highways and Transportation Committee; and the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

Always concerned about public safety, Hudson was the sponsor of a bill to protect minors by increasing penalties for the crime of human trafficking.

He was also an early proponent for making texting while driving illegal. While that law may sound like common sense in 2022, the idea was initially seen as controversial and unenforceable in 2007.

“My first session I introduced a texting bill and people stared at me like a cow staring at a new gate,” Hudson once told the Hattiesburg American. “What on earth are you talking about? Are you crazy,” he quoted some constituents as saying.

But after seven failed tries the idea finally caught on and Hudson was among the senators and dignitaries present when then-Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill into law in 2015.

Hudson retired from the Senate after three terms in 2019 and at age 80 was elected Forrest County Tax Collector, a position he served in until his death. On Dec. 5 the Forrest County Board of Supervisors voted to name his wife Barbara to serve out the remainder of his term.

“Billy was tireless in his efforts to serve his community personally and to make Forrest County a better place. The thoughts and prayers of the board of supervisors are with Barbara, his children, and grandchildren,” said David Hogan, board of supervisors president.

Many others have echoed similar sentiments.

“Billy was good man that spoke for or spoke against with strong conviction what he believed to be right or wrong in the Mississippi Legislature. I will always respect him for that,” stated state Sen. Angela Burks Hill of District 46.

Sen. Joey Fillingane of District 41 said Hudson “was a true public servant and his leadership in Forrest County as well as his friendship will be sorely missed.”

Sen. Chris Johnson, who began representing District 45 following Hudson’s retirement, praised the late senator for his strong values.

“Whether you agreed with him or not you always had to appreciate that he stayed true to his beliefs,” Johnson said.

Zac Howell, chief deputy tax collector of Forrest County, said Hudson “started every morning reading his Bible and would tell me a verse that he read. He truly enjoyed serving Forrest County and being able to help others. He strived to make Forrest County a better place for us all.”

In addition to his wife, Barbara, Hudson is survived by one daughter, Trudi Abel of Atwood, TN; two sons, Bill Hudson of Indiana and Ben Hudson of Poplarville; two step-sons, Mark Ward and Marty Ward, both of Hattiesburg; 10 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Burial was held at the Dixie Community Cemetery approximately 5 miles south of Hattiesburg.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Billy Cyril Hudson Sr. remembered for service to Hattiesburg community