A memorial service will be held at Crestwood Funeral Home Monday March 2, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. for Billy J. (Boom Boom) Mathis, 78, Tidmore Bend Community, who passed away Saturday February 28, 2009. Rev. Jerry Keeling will officiate, Crestwood Funeral Home and Cremation Service directing. Mr. Mathis was a 1949 graduate of Gadsden High School where he lettered in four sports. His football prowess was widely acclaimed as it became legend in his lifetime. He attended Jacksonville State on a football scholarship. He was a life member of the Jacksonville State Alumni Association. Boom Boom was enshrined as a member of the Etowah County Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Mr. Mathis was retired from Goodyear where he had been a Shift Foreman. He was a member of Glencoe Masonic Lodge # 846. He had been a member of Zamora ShrineTemple. He served for thirty-five years as a Supervisor with the Soil & Water Conservation District. He served as a member and as President of the Gadsden State Booster Club, being instrumental in securing scholarships for many local students. He was a member of Union Hill Methodist Church. Mr. Mathis is survived by his daughter Salli; sons Billy Jr. and Charles; wife of 44 years Joyce; daughter-in-law Alice; grandchildren Dr. John Mathis (Libby) and Elizabeth Mathis; great-grandchildren Emily, Samantha, Nicalus, Eva, and Chloe. Sister Sara Reaves (Stacy), nephew Bubba Mathis, nieces Sara Sharpton and Amy Reaves. A special thanks to the staff at Northside Health Care for their compassion and care. The family will receive friends two hours before the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Union Hill Methodist Church.