William Michael "Billy" Tharpe, 68, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at West Tennessee Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 16, 1957, Billy was the son of the late J.W. Tharpe and the late Nora Evone Greene Tharpe.

Billy was the retired owner of City Café in Newbern, where he served his community with a warm smile and a friendly conversation. A true domino enthusiast, countless games were played around the tables of the café, where he formed many lasting and treasured friendships over the years.

He enjoyed the outdoors, especially deer hunting, and loved spending time on the golf course. A 1975 graduate of Dyer County High School, Billy proudly played football for the Choctaws and was a member of the 1973 State Championship team. He remained a devoted fan of Dyer County athletics and an avid supporter of the University of Tennessee Volunteers football team.

Above all, Billy loved his family deeply and took great pride in his grandchildren, who were the joy of his life.

Funeral services for Mr. Tharpe will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in the Chapel-Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be Bro. James Combs.

Visitation for Mr. Tharpe will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. 

He is survived by his wife, Alisha Wilson Tharpe of Newbern, Tennessee; one son, Johnathan North of Newbern, Tennessee, four brothers, Tommy Tharpe of Brighton, Tennessee, Eddie Tharpe of Newbern, Tennessee, Jerry Tharpe of Newbern, Tennessee and Jackie Tharpe of Smyrna, Tennessee; four sisters, Sandra Tharpe of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Lorri Williams of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Susan Tharpe of Newbern, Tennessee and Pattie Yarbro of RoEllen, Tennessee; his favorite sis-in-law, Melissa Young (Bill) of Lenox, Tennessee., he was "Grand-Daddy" to his four grandchildren, Hannah North, Jayden Spicer, Rileigh Tharpe and Kaleb Tharpe and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members that he loved dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, William Michael Paul Tharpe and one sister, Marigene Ervin.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com.  Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Michael "Billy" Tharpe.