CW5 (Ret) Billy Sherrod Rhodes

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Retired, Billy Sherrod Rhodes, was promoted in the Army of God to his final assignment in God’s army. Billy’s permanent change of station (PCS) is now his eternal home with his Supreme Commander.

Billy was the third of six children, born January 31, 1946, to the late Nick Rhodes, Sr., and the late Lillian Mytrell Brown Rhodes of Council, NC. In his early childhood, Billy attended church with his parents at Tabernacle Holiness Church of Riegelwood, NC and Carver’s Creek African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Council, NC.

During five of his teen years, Billy served as a Boy Scout Troop leader. Growing up in Bladen County, he attended elementary and middle school at Baltimore School and graduated from East Arcadia High School.

While attending Fayetteville State University, Billy met and married Jane Laverne Raleigh June 17, 1972 in Greensboro, NC. Billy and Jane renewed their wedding vows twice: June 17, 1991 in Schweinfurt, Germany and again, November 4, 2010 in Cana, Israel. Billy Rhodes earned a Trade School Certificate in Welding from Southeastern Community College and a BA Degree in Industrial Technology from Regis University in Denver, CO.

Being drafted into the U S Army, February 1968, he completed basic training at Fort Bragg, NC. Billy assigned to Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonardwood, MO as a Welder 44b. Served two tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam with Company A, 701st Maintenance Battalion, Dian Vietnam: 984 Engineer Company, Land Clearing, Long Binh, Vietnam. Billy Rhodes was commissioned Chief Warrant in December 1977.

Chief Warrant Officer Rhodes major assignments included duty with Air Defense Artillery, and Company A, 52nd Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson, CO; 124th Maintenance Company, Boeblingen, Germany; 581st Maintenance Company, Fort Irwin, CA; Detachment Commander, 61st Maintenance Company, Chun Chon, South Korea; Chief Metalworker Division, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; 147th Maintenance Company, Schweinfurt, Germany; 503rd Maintenance Company, Fort Bragg, NC; Readiness Group, Camp Dodge, Iowa; 503rd Maintenance Company, Fort Bragg, NC; Chief, Machinist Branch, Metal working Department, U.S. Army Ordinance Center and School.

Rhodes earned 12 awards and decorations during his military career: THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH VALOR FOR HEROISM IN GROUND COMBAT, MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL, ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL, ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, ARMED SERVICE MEDAL, NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RIBBON, ARMY SERVICE RIBBON, AND THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL.

Upon retiring from active duty with the US. Army, Billy traveled to Saudi Arabia to serve as Maintenance Department Manager for the Vinnell Corporation for two years. This was his last overseas employment. During his lifetime Billy visited 38 different countries and 43 of the 50 states in the United States of America.

Along with his Father and Mother, Billy was preceded in death by his brothers, Ivey Gene Rhodes and Barry Conrad Rhodes. He leaves his wife, Dr. Jane Raleigh Rhodes of the home, and son Jason Roderick Rhodes (Stephanie)  and grandson, Jason Rhodes, Jr. of Norfolk, VA; two sisters, Shirley Rhodes Brown of Detroit, MI and Anglia Rhodes Flowers of Council, NC; one brother, LTC. Retired, Nick Rhodes, Jr. (Deloris) of Wilmington, NC, one brother-in-law, James W. Raleigh, Sr. (Barbara) of Greensboro, NC; sisters-in-law: Mildred Faye Chapman Rhodes of Kinston, NC, Dorothy Raleigh Jessup, Judy Raleigh Francis,  and Anna B. Raleigh all of Greensboro, NC; and his aunt Evelena Bryant of Reigelwood, NC; along with nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 520 Johnson Street, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Services are pending.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of CW5 (Ret) Billy Sherrod Rhodes, please visit our floral store.