Roll Call Tribute

James L. Busby 

January 7, 1925 - September 27, 2023 

James L. Busby of Nashville, TN, departed this life on September 27, 2023. Preceded in death by wife, Audra DeLoris Busby. Survived by daughters, Jeanne Lafferty of Waco, TX and Icy Sanders (Ken) of Guntersville, AL; sons, James L. Busby, Jr. (Peggy) of Carrollton, TX and John (Chanda) of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Troy Lafferty, Amy Susnis, Hunter Busby and Aubrey Busby and two great grandchildren.

Jim was a native of Megargel, TX, graduating high school there as president of his sophomore, junior and senior classes, salutatorian, and lettered in five sports.

As a freshman at Texas A&M, he volunteered for the Aviation Cadet program of the U.S Army Air Corps. on his 18th birthday. He reported for duty six weeks after the death of his brother, R.H. Busby, Jr., who was killed in an Army Air Corps plane crash near Las Vegas, NV. Jim served in Air Corps for two and a half years then returned to College Station, graduating in three years as a distinguished student.

He joined Aetna Casualty & Surety spending five years in Denver, CO where he met his wife, Audra. They moved to Dallas then to Nashville in 1957 where he served as Aetna’s General Manager for almost thirty years. During his life, he visited all fifty states.

Jim was a past President of the National Development Board of Lipscomb University, the Youth Hobby Shop and past Chairman of the Congressional Action Committee of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. He was a former member of the West End Civitan Club. After retirement from Aetna, he and Audra traveled extensively including Wimbledon Center Court finals.

He joined Wade & Egbert and spent several years as an agent. He was a member of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ and former member of the West End and Granny White Pike congregations.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Tipton Children’s Home, 100 Broadway Ave., Tipton, OK 73750 or Youth Encouragement Services, 11 Lindsley Ave., Nashville, TN 37210.

Funeral services will be conducted by Walt Leaver on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 12:00 Noon (visitation 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon) at Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN. Interment with Military Honors at Woodlawn Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers: Max James, Larry Pardue, Charles Frazier, Frank wade and Bill Egbert. Active Pallbearers: Randy Perry, Jim Perry, Dr. Ronnie Hunter, David Sciortino, Tommy Reed and Larry Wilson.