Billy T. Ainsworth died Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at his residence. He was 73.

Born in Harrisville, Miss., he had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1967. Mr. Ainsworth was the son of the late Thomas Webster Ainsworth and Mamie Lou Burkett Ainsworth. He served in the Air National Guard. Mr. Ainsworth was an electrician with the Illinois Central Railroad and was in management with MidSouth Railroad and Kansas City Southern Railway, retiring in 1998 with 39 ½ years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman with a devotion to fishing and hunting. Mr. Ainsworth was a member of the Wahabi Shrine and a member of the Hyland-Jarmon Masonic Lodge 113 where he was a Master Mason. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. Mr. Ainsworth was a Christian and a member of the Methodist faith.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lena Ainsworth; four daughters, Cheryl Katz (Howard) of Madison, Anne Rush (Robbie) and Brenda Kirkland (Louis), all of Byram, and Mary Powers (Ronny) of Vicksburg; two sons, Chuck Ainsworth (Betty) of Brandon and Don Ainsworth (Theresa) of Vicksburg; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Cobb (Charles) of Olive Branch; two brothers, Jimmy A. Ainsworth (Sarah) of Hernando and Sammy A. Ainsworth (Marla) of Florence.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Christopher Powers; and a brother, Glenn Ainsworth.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Burch, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery with Masonic Services. Visitation will be tonight from 5 until 7 at Riles Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103.

Pallbearers will be Harold Williamson, Chad Phillips, John Storey, Jay Furr, Jerry Johnson and Jimmy Lee.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert McConnell, Dr. Mac Jarmon, Dr. Martin Newcomb and members of the Hyland-Jarmon Masonic Lodge 113.