Billy Gene "BG" Tatum

Billy Gene "BG" Tatum, 94, of Cleveland, MS, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Mississippi Veterans Home Tradition in Biloxi, MS.

BG was born on January 1, 1932, in Newellton, LA. He graduated from Newellton High School and attended Delta State Teachers College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. In 1961, he received his Master of Science in Combined Sciences from the University of Mississippi.

BG's teaching career in the field of Science included faculty positions at Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, MS, Amory High School in Amory, MS, Northwest Junior College in Senatobia, MS and Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. He was also the first director of the Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium at Delta State University. BG always had a love of stars and outer space. In 1986, he and his wife, Lila traveled to Sydney, Australia, to observe Halley's Comet at the Sydney Observatory.

BG proudly served his country in the United States Army where he received training as a medic. He was honorably discharged in 1963.

BG was a member of the Lions Club and was inducted into the Mid-South Lions Club Hall of Fame in 2014. He also served as President of the Cleveland Evening Lions Club and as Governor of the Mid-South Lions Club. He was inducted into the Lions of Mississippi Hall of Fame in 2020.

BG loved watching football games, especially Ole Miss. Photography was another interest of his. He sponsored the Delta State Yearbook for many years and could be found at all sports events taking photos for the yearbook. BG was also a talented carpenter and there are many fences in Cleveland that were built by him. The Lions Club was very dear to his heart and he worked tirelessly for their yearly cheese and strawberry sales. He could always be found delivering cheese and strawberries to the local residents.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lila Nabors Tatum; his parents, William Marvin Tatum, Sr. and Mary Rozier Tatum; and his brothers, William Marvin Tatum, Jr., James Bruce Tatum and Ray Durwood Tatum.

BG is survived by his children, Sharon Tatum Gentile of Biloxi, MS, Melissa Tatum Watts of Nashville, TN, Eric Nabors Tatum of Cleveland, MS and Arthur William Tatum of Olive Branch, MS; eight grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren., along with many extended family members, friends, former students, and fellow Lions Club members who will cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Mid-South Lions, 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38103, or to the Delta State Alumni Association, P.O. Box 3141 DSU, Cleveland, MS 38733.

Funeral Services will be held at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland, MS on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Friends may visit from 1:00 pm until service time. Interment will follow at Beulah Cemetery in Beulah, MS.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff of the Mississippi Veterans Home Tradition and Vital Caring Hospice in Biloxi.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Billy Gene “BG” Tatum.