Final Salute

William Joseph Groom (77) lovingly known as Billy Joe Groom passed away on May 24, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of honor, dedication, and love. He was proudly a lifelong resident of Shady Side, Maryland.
Billy Joe is preceded in death by his mother and father (Jannie Bell and Captain Neal Groom), his devoted wife Linda (Wood) Groom, and eldest child William Eugene (Gene) Groom. He is survived by his brothers Wallace Groom (Skip/ Wally) and Goldman (Goldie)Groom. Daughter Laura Aleece Groom Sewell (son in law Kevin) and grandson Bennett Sewell. Also has a host of nieces and nephews as well as loving and supportive friends.
Billy attended Southern High School before joining the Navy to travel the world for world for four years. Billy has delightful stories to tell about his time in Cuba and has shared stories about being a Seabee and time spent on the Allen M. Sumner. He talks about the wild time in the Navy and being in 40 feet seas before hitchhiking home from Jacksonville FL (dropped off by the military) to Maryland. Billy Joe would fondly say he traveled the world to marry the girl next door. Billy and Linda were married near 50 years before her death also due to cancer.
Billy spent his entire life and time on and near the water. Billy was a waterman for years. Owning the True Blue, Dianna Lee, and most recently the Joe-Lin. Billy has shared many proud stories and joyous memories of working the water. He then became a marina owner and the best diesel mechanic. He loved Detroit diesels and was affectionately known as doctor diesel. In his early years of owning what is now known as Clark’s landing, Billy had the first travel lift in Shady Side, made with a Chrysler motor that he built it himself. Billy has worked on several famous country stars boats (Roy Clark and Kenny Rogers). He also had a pile driver and would complete some marine construction projects including the two docks at the house he raised his family. The docks lovingly were referred to as the gas dock and house dock. Billy Joe won many docking contests with his boats. Including the time, he won in less than 12 seconds on the Joe- Lin with a broken arm in a cast. This was at one of the local blessings of the fleets held in Shady Side. Billy was also a past president of the shady side Kiwanis club.
The only tool brand known to Billy is snap on. He always had a big truck with the utility body and would travel anywhere as needed for work. He even captained a boat several times to and from Maine to MD. then MD to FL. and back. Billy Joe fiber glassed nearly every boat on Parish creek and then some. In roughly 2012 before downsizing, he built a friend a fully wooden boat by hand.
Billy was a chess champion in high school and even not playing for 50 years he could beat his daughter in 3 moves this past winter when trying to teach her the game. Billy Joe enjoyed playing the saxophone. Billy made several batches of homemade root beer and homemade wine. In recent years he spent many hours with his grandson, riding tractors and spending time together in Shady Side.
There are some many wonderful life stories and memories about the personality of this generous man that could never fit on to paper.
May his legend and memory shine brightly and know that the twinkle on the water is him smiling to be back on the bay.
A memorial service will be at Centenary United Methodist Church on Sunday June 4, 2023 1:30pm the church is located at 6248 Shady Side Road, Shady Side Maryland 20764. Interment will be held later.

Published by Legacy on May 27, 2023.