Billy Byrd Hess

ASHEVILLE – Billy Byrd Hess, age 83, of Asheville, died Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Mr. Hess was born June 22, 1934 in Dade County, Florida to the late Elisabeth Byrd and Benjamin Valentine Hess. Billy was a rock and block mason. He raced cars from the time he was 16 years old until age 55, he then became a NASCAR official for the next 10 – 15 years. He lived in Miami, Florida for many years and loved his swamp boat. Billy was a resident of Buncombe County, for the last 39 years; he attended Lighthouse Baptist Church in Barnardsville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Joseph Krutzer. Surviving are his wife, Cora Vermillion Hess; daughter, Sharity Suita; sons, Billy Carl Hess and wife Glenda, Barry Kelly Hess and wife Lisa; sister-in-law, Rosemary Vermillion; brother, Benjamin Valentine Hess, Jr.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2018 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Rev. Larry Coates will officiate. The family will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the funeral home. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Hess’ obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.