According to the census record on 24 Jul 1870, William Jefferson (Billy) was in Calera, (Beat 6), Shelby Co., AL (HH 121-121, Ln 12-16, page 15). He was 11 years of age and living with his parents, David & Lucinda Honeycutt.

William Jefferson Honeycutt was left with his mother to raise alone when his father disappeared when Billy was a young age. --Honeycutt Genforum dated 9 Sep 1998 Posted by Gale Liveoak Dyer.

William's father, David C. Honeycutt, must have left the family soon after the 1870 census. It is unknown where he went and why he left. By the time William was 18 (1880 census), his mother had died and he and his two sisters were orphaned and living in separate households. William was living in the household of W.B. Roberson. W.B. Roberson married Chelona V. Meharg, a sister to William's mother. He was working on Mr. Roberson's farm in Weogufka.

On 22 Nov 1880, Billy married Margaret Missouri Jones in Coosa County, Alabama.

1900 Coosa Co. AL Census, Marble Valley, Pct 13, ED 27
HH 136-142, 15 Jun 1900, 11A
Honeycutt, William Honeycutt, Head, 39, M, Farmer, born Dec 1860, AL; Margaret M., Wife, 38, F, born Oct 1861, AL; William P., Son, 17, M, born Nov 1882, AL; Mittie V., Dau., 15, F, born Sep 1884, AL; Jeff A., Son, 13, M, born Mar 1887, AL; Rosanne, Dau., 11, F, born Sep 1888, AL; Porter C., Son, 10, M, born Jun 1890, AL; Lela B., Dau., 8, F, born Jun 1890, AL; Kitty A., Dau., 6, F, born Jun 1894, AL; Henry L., Son, 4, M, born Jun 1894, AL; Faney A., Son, 5/12, F, born Jan 1900, AL
*Faney A. was Frances "Fannie" O. and a female.

1910 Coosa Co. AL Census, Marble Valley, Pct 13 , ED 64
HH85-86, Ln 13-20, 13 Apr 1910, p. 5A
Honeycutt, William J., Head, Owns Farm Free, 65, M, Married 30 years, Farmer, born AL; Margaret M., Wife, 47, F, Married 30 years, 13 children, 12 living, born AL; Mittie V., Dau., 24, F, Farm Laborer, born AL; Jeffie T., Son, 22, M, Single, Farm Laborer, born AL; Osker H., Son, 13, M, Single, Farm Laborer, born AL; Ollie O., Son, 11, M, Farm Laborer, born AL; Dovie E., Dau., 9, F, born AL; Ermon C., Son, 4, M, born AL
*Ollie O. was Frances "Fannie" O. and a female.

1920 Coosa Co., AL Census, Marble Valley, Pct 13, ED 65
Ln 92-97, HH 190-191, 5 Feb 1920, page 10B
Honeycutt, William J., Head, Renting Farm, 59, M, Farmer, born AL; Margrett M., Wife, 58, F, born AL; Thomas J., Son, 32, M, born AL; Fanny O., Daughter, 20, F, born AL
Honeycutt, Donie, Son, 18, M, born AL; Honeycutt, Ermon E., Son, 13, M, Farm Laborer, born AL

1930 Coosa Co., AL Census, Marble Valley, Pct 13, ED 18
HH 62-63, Ln 45-46, 8 Apr 1930, p. 6A
Honeycutt, William J., Head, Owns Farm, 64, M, Married at 20, Farmer, born AL; Margaret M., Wife, 68, F, Married at 19, Farm Laborer, born AL; Varner, O.D., Grandson, 14, M, Farm Laborer, born AL

1940 Coosa Co., AL Census, Marble Valley, Pct. 13, ED 19-16
HH 29, Apr 1940, p. 2B Val of Prop $400, Owns House
Honeycutt, W.J., Head, 79, M, AL; Margarett, Wife, 78, F, AL; Morris, J.O., Son In Law, 34, M, AL; Morris, Dovie E., Dau., 35, F, AL

THIS ARTICLE WAS GIVEN TO GALE LIVEOAK DYER BY RILLA VARNER CARDEN FOR GENEALOGY RESEARCH.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The ADVANCE is happy to publish this tribute from its author Rilla Carden to her family, the Honeycutts, which made up a vast portion of South Talladega County, as well as surrounding counties in years past.

MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE TO THE HONEYCUTTS
Once upon a time, about one hundred years ago, there was a handsome young man called Billy. Just to set the record straight: he wasn't Billy the Kid. He was Billy Honeycutt.
His full name was William Jefferson Honeycutt. When he was a small boy, his father went into the woods one day and never returned.
There was never any account of him. Billy grew up as an orphan and life dealt many hardships for he and his mother.
Remember, there were no such aids then, as Health, Education, and Welfare for the widows and orphans. So Billy was very poor, but proud.
I suppose on of the greatest days of his whole life, was the day he met Margaret Missouri Jones. Another great day for Billy was the day he and Margaret were united in Holy Matrimony.
She was a naturally beautiful girl. Her lovely skin as fair as a lily, bright blue eyes, blond hair and very pretty in every way. Their love for each other, as well as their marriage vows, held true through out their lives.
Billy and Margaret lived in Coosa County. To my knowledge, they never went out of the state. They were God fearing, Christians who worked very hard to provide for their children. However, there was always time, and they were never too busy to go to church.
I can remember Billy's prayers, testimonies, and how he led the songs. Also, I saw my grandmother, Margaret, shout at a special meeting one day.
They were good, honest, and clean people. God blessed them with six handsome sons, and seven beautiful daughters, which went forth, and did plentish the earth with the Honeycutts.
I won't be so foolish as to say, their descendants were as numerous as the sand of the sea; but maybe, as multiple as a small sand box.
I know for sure there were more than 80 grandchildren. Then came the great, and the great-great and the great - great - great grandchildren.
Just too many to count. They are scattered all over this great country. Regardless of your name, if your kin to the Honeycutts, you'll show it.
For just as sure as sure as there is SOMETHING about an Aqua Velva man, there is something about a Honeycutt - man and woman. That something, is very special and unexplainable in a nice sort of way. My name was never Honeycutt, but, my beautiful little mother was Billy and Margaret's fifth child. I wanted so much to look like her, but was like my dad instead.
Since no names have been mentioned of that family, I won't call my mother's name either. However, in memorial of her, I will say, "There has never been a ROSE more lovely or beautiful."
She left us, her children, a great heritage; which is love, honesty, and the golden rule. We will be sad on Mother's Day, for it will be our second one without our Mother.
I am sad to say there are only two living members of that Honeycutt family, one daughter and one son. May God bless them richly.
To all my Honeycutt cousins everywhere, my one sentence sermon is this: Prepare to meet God, for we are next in line to go to our reward. Rilla Carden

Alabama Death Records:
Name: William Jeferson Honeycutt
Death Date: 18 Dec 1941
Death Place: Fayettville, Coosa, Alabama
Gender: Male
Race (Original): White
Race (Standardized): White
Age at Death: 81y
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 17 Dec 1860
Birthplace: , Coosa, Ala.
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Margret Honeycutt
Father's Name: Daniel Honeycutt
Father's Birthplace: , Chilton, Ala.
Mother's Name: Maherg
Mother's Titles & Terms (Original):
Mother's Titles & Terms (Standardized):
Mother's Birthplace: Ala
Occupation: Farmer
Street Address: Fayettville R-1
Residence: Fayettville, Coosa, Alabama
Burial Place: H...Il Apring, Coosa, Alabama
Burial Date: 19 Dec 1941