William “Billy” Sargent, 84, of Columbia, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Billy was born June 20, 1940 to Robert Lee Sargent and Mildred Carpenter Sargent. He graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1958. He was the owner and operator of Lovett and Sargent Body Shop for 40 years. He married the love of his life Iva Faye Mash in 1960 and they spent 60 wonderful years together.

Billy was a charter member of Grace Church of the Nazarene. He will forever be remembered for his Christ-like attributes. He always had an extraordinary way of making friends instantly wherever he went and was always willing to help anyone in need. Billy was known for his incredible sense of humor as he always brought laughter and smiles to everyone around him. His love for family and friends will forever be remembered.

Billy was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing his entire life. Thru the years, he grew to love turkey and deer hunting the most. He also loved coaching ball thru the years. He coached Little League, Babe Ruth, and Post 19. He also enjoyed playing men’s softball. Billy and best friend Jack Auville started a men’s softball team at Grace Church of the Nazarene over 40 years ago. He loved meeting and getting to know new players each year and sharing his personal testimony with them. On September 5, 2015, he was inducted into Springdale Church of the Nazarene’s Hall of Fame at the 35th Annual National Nazarene Men’s Softball Tournament in Cincinnati Ohio.

Billy is survived by daughter, Brenda (Tony) Seaborn; son, Terry (Angie) Sargent; grandchildren, Austin (Jeannie) Seaborn, Wil (Kayla) Sargent, and Andrew Sargent; great-grandchildren, Ridge Hudson Seaborn and Marshall Lee Sargent; sisters, Jean (Bill) Reischman and Sue Clark; brother-in-law, O’Neil Moore; special friends, Victoria Jean Clark; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Iva Faye Mash Sargent; sister, Joyce Moore; brother-in-law, Billy Clark; nephews, Mark Reischman and Roger Moore; and niece, Marilyn Moore.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Grace Church of the Nazarene at 1:00 PM. Burial followed at Polk Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Online condolences may be extended at http://www.oakesandnichols.com.

Pallbearers were Austin Seaborn, Wil Sargent, Andrew Sargent, Kyle Thomas, Wayne Clark, Mike Reischman, Steven Moore, Bobby Kilpatrick, Daniel Doubler, Norm Titus.

Honorary pallbearers were Jack Auville, Joe Horne, Mike Bone, David Lovett, Craig Jones, Harvey Nicholson, Ted Johnson, Tommy Carroll, past and present employees of Lovett and Sargent Body Shop, David Beard, Randall Rummage, past and present players of Grace Church Men’s Softball Team, and members of Grace Church of the Nazarene.