William Milford Fields 

Massey 

A Celebration of Life Service was held for William Milford Fields, 94, of Massey, who went home to be with his Lord March 9. He was born Oct. 17, 1925, in the Danville community to Lewis Edward Fields and Lennie Teague Fields. 

He grew up in this community and graduated from Danville High School in May 1944. He entered the United States Navy and served from 1944–1946. He is a veteran of World War II and served on the USS Birmingham and was stationed in the South Pacific.  

In 1947 he married Verna Mae Sandlin in the “new” McKendree Church Building. They were the first couple married in the new building.  

They became the parents of Rixie Fields Smith and Milford Sandy Fields. 

Milford worked for Wolverine Tube in Decatur and farmed. He loved farming and raising cattle and became a full-time farmer. He enjoyed being on his John Deere tractor and working his farm. Milford loved his community and church and was active in both. 

He was an active member of McKendree Methodist Church as long as he was able to attend. He served in the Sunday school and in other various positions on the Official Board. He always believed in serving the Lord and doing what was right toward others. 

Milford was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 72 years, Verna Mae; two brothers, Edward Fields and J.C. Fields; and his daughter-in-law, Jane Nelson Fields.  

He is survived by his daughter, Rixie Fields Smith; son, Milford Sandy Fields (Nicole); grandsons Pat Smith (Kimberly) and Caleb Fields; and great–granddaughter Lillie Smith.  

He thought the world of his “grands,” Pat, Caleb and Lillie. 

Funeral services were held March 12 at 1 p.m. at McKendree United Methodist Church. The Rev. Virgil Bohn and the Rev. Darrell Mosley officiated. Burial was in the Herring Cemetery. 

Serving as pallbearers were Pat Smith, Caleb Fields, Bradley Fields, Ricky Fields, Jack Fields and Jason Fields. 

In lieu of flowers family requests memorial donations be made to the McKendree Methodist Church. 

Special thanks is extended to Cullman Home Care, Annie Alexander, Cedricka White and Sharon Leavesly for the assistance in his care. 

Billy Joe McCaghren  

Hartselle 

Billy Joe McCaghren, 85, of Hartselle passed away March 10 at his residence. Visitation was March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Peck Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Hartselle Memory Gardens Cemetery, with Brother Charles Foreman officiating. 

He was born to Cecil and Audie McCaghren Jan. 31, 1935, in Morgan County. He graduated from Danville High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was married to Sis Burchell McCaghren for 63 years. 

Billy is survived by his wife; one son, George McCaghren (Renee); one daughter, Melva Brown (Bobby); five grandchildren, Adam Brown (Dianna), Kathryn Wood, Heath McCaghren, Heather McCaghren (Matthew) and Hayden McCaghren (Ally); six great-grandchildren; one brother, Jimmy McCaghren; and a sister, Lottie Hensley. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bobby McCaghren.  

He was a member of the Methodist Church. Many will remember him as the last milkman who did home delivery service in Hartselle. Later on, he worked for Decatur Utilities.  

Billy loved the outdoors, farming, fishing and, most of all, his family. 

Pallbearers were Adam Brown, Heath McCaghren, Hayden McCaghren, Matthew Vinzant, Jim McDonald and Kevin Long. 

Steven Rollin Sloan 

Falkville 

Steven Rollin Sloan died March 9. He was 75. 

Mr. Sloan was born Oct. 6, 1944, in Miami. He was raised in the Florida Keys, spent summers diving for treasure and was a proud Conch.  

In 1968 he graduated from the University of Arkansas with a civil engineering degree and became the first college graduate of his family. He was a registered professional engineer in six states and owned his own engineering consulting firm for seven years. 

Mr. Sloan was a lifelong car enthusiast and was a member of Street Rod Associations in Arkansas, Texas and Alabama. He owned and restored his beloved 1938 Packard and 1948 Packard convertible. He frequently read science fiction, listened to Pink Floyd and was an amateur artist in his spare time. 

Mr. Sloan was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cheryl; his son, Steve; his son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Alissa; his daughter and son-in-law, Corie and Pat; his brother and sister-in-law, Buck and Sharon; and five grandchildren.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Buck and Ruth, and his brother, Edgar. 

Mr. Sloan was buried in a private graveside ceremony at 11:30 a.m. March 14 at Falkville City Cemetery, Piney Grove Street. After the burial, all were invited to gather at Sparkman Civic Center, 406 Nance Ford Road, Hartselle, for a celebration of Mr. Sloan’s life.  

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alabama Kidney Foundation.
 

Mary Alice Atchley Watkins  

Somerville 

Mary Alice Atchley Watkins, 93, of Somerville died peacefully at home March 12.  

She was born Nov. 25, 1926, to the late Richard and Alice Atchley.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hoyt Watkins; brothers Harold and Andrew Atchley; and sister Edna Mae Martin.  

She is survived by her sisters, Juanita Duffey of Trinity and Bernice Miller of Crane Hill; brother Douglas Atchley of Weaverville, N.C.; daughter Jan (Bobby) Daugette of Somerville; grandchildren Cliff (Whitney) Daugette of Mobile and Ashley (Anthony) Clemons of Elizabethtown, Ky.; and four great-grandchildren.  

Mary was the epitome of strength and grit. She would do anything she set her mind to and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She loved fiercely and kept many mementos of special events that she attended, such as wedding invitations and graduation programs. The pictures that filled her home are a testament to the love she had for her family.  

She was a long-time employee of the Morgan Farmers Co-Op and could be found dipping seed and watering plants at both the Decatur and Hartselle stores. Her love of flowers also kept her busy at home. Visitors would often find her working in the yard, even when she was 90 years old!  

She was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with the ladies in her Sunday School class.  

A funeral service was held at Peck Funeral Home at 3 p.m. March 15, with the Rev. Harold Fanning, the Rev. Earl Holt and the Rev. Mahlon LeCroi presiding. Burial was at Somerville Cemetery.  

Pallbearers were Ricky Miller, Randy Miller, Steve Atchley, Jeff Duffey, Mike Duffey and Greg Duffey. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley.