On January 14, 2022, God decided to add another beautiful flower to his heavenly garden, and lovingly welcomed Billy Joe into his loving arms. Billy Joe Kirby Solomon was born October 2, 1962, to William and Doris Solomon in Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated from Parkland High School and served in the US Navy for 4 years, serving as a cook on the Navy ship. He lived in San Diego, California and Washington, DC for many years and eventually came back home to North Carolina where he was working as a cook at the VA Hospital in Durham, NC.

Billy was a Chef by trade, he loved to cook and always made it his mission to take care of everybody around him. He loved to see people happy and always put others before himself. He loved to see people happy and always others before himself. He loved all type of music, especially Reggae, and was a Rasta at heart. Bob Marley was his favorite artist, and he loved the San Francisco 49'ers. He would jokingly tell anybody, "Don't start nothing, won't be nothing!" He especially loved his family and treated his nieces and nephews as if they were his own and enjoyed calling and spending quality time with each and everyone of them. He especially loved and adored his little sister whom he would affectionately call and say, "What up Rainbowzie," every morning and every night. He will truly be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandparents, Harold and Gladys Thompson; and his paternal grandparents, Oliver and Lucille Solomon.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sister Belva (Bishop Antonio) Spillman; two half-brothers, Shawn Gadberry and Steven Harris all of Winston-Salem, NC; nephew, William Hynes; nieces, Mahoganie Solomon, Antonika Solomon, and Maia Spillman all of Winston-Salem; great nephew and niece, Jacob Gracelyn Hynes; maternal aunts, Jacqueline Thompson of Washington, DC, Alice (Lawrence) Jones of Asbury Park, NJ and Vernell (Willie) Pitts of Winston-Salem; maternal uncles, Terry Thompson, Clarence Thompson of Washington, DC, Rev. Dr. Vernon S. Thompson of Oxford, NC, and Kirby Thompson of Winston-Salem; paternal aunts, Cleopatra Solomon of Winston-Salem, Marie Williamson of Greensboro, NC, and Louella Nelson of Ft. Washington, MD; paternal uncle, Danny Solomon of Winston-Salem; and a host of special family, friends, and coworkers.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Private funeral services will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022.