BILLY LEAVELL was born deaf in Montgomery, Alabama and was educated at hearing schools in Montgomery and Birmingham. After he graduated from high school, he went to David Lipscomb College (now University) where he received his B.A. degree in 1961.

 

Immediately after this, he became full-time minister to the deaf at Central Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, where he served for 13 years. In 1975 he and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he became minister to the deaf at East Frayser Church of Christ for 23 years. In 1998 he and the deaf group relocated to White Station Church of Christ, where they continue today.

 

Billy is married to the former Marilyn Allgood, who is an interpreter for the deaf. From this union three children were born, and later, five grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

 

Billy has traveled across the United States holding gospel meetings, conferences, and seminars. He also has traveled to foreign mission fields to work with the deaf, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the Czech Republic, Belize (Central America), and three countries in Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Ghana).

 

Billy also has established a publication for the deaf, Light for the Deaf, which has been read the world round.

 

Billy is currently a board member of DeafConnect, the agency in Memphis that serves the deaf. So he is well known by many Memphis deaf.