Billy Hodo

Waynesville, Billy Hugh "The Daddy" Hodo, 88, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at his home.

Bill was born in the Mississippi Delta to parents Clem and Annie Keith Hodo.  In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ollie Hodo, in 2011; four sisters, Ruth Martin, Mattie Sue Beckwith, Lora Forbes, and Inez Hodo; five brothers, James, Johnny, Willie, Clem, Jr., and Thomas Clyde Hodo.

Born to sharecroppers in the Delta, Bill and his siblings grew up in a challenging time in the South.  He and his brothers and sisters worked the cotton fields and helped farm the land until he was a young teenager.  Bill was determined to make a better life for himself and migrated to Chicago to work in the factories, in the 1950’s.  He would eventually find his way to Florida in the orange groves before settling in Haywood County.  In 1963, Bill met the love of his life Ollie Silvers and began his job as a groundskeeper at Maggie Valley Country Club.  Bill worked on the grounds of the Maggie golf course for 58 years.  It was Bill’s will and determination to always provide for his family that endeared him to co-workers.  Despite the difficult times growing up, Bill was grateful for his many blessings in life.  It was his happy demeanor and kind heart that got him the nickname, "The Daddy".  Bill also had a love for animals.  He adored his dogs, Dixie and Pearl, and his cat, Barney.  Above all, Bill’s heart belonged to his family.

Bill is survived by his three daughters, Brenda Hodo of Waynesville, Jeanni Linnenkohl, and her husband, Rex, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and Linda Cerny, and her husband, Matthew, of Waynesville; two sons, Billy and Kenneth Hodo, both of Waynesville; four grandchildren, Stephen Hodo, Michael Lee, Savannah Cerny, and Jacob Cerny; and two great-grandchildren, Nova Hodo and Andromeda Lee.

A graveside service for Bill will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2021, at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville, prior to the graveside service.

The care of Mr. Hodo has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.