Billy Joe was born in Smith Co. and moved to Wilson Co. at an early age. He was an only child to Victor and Irene Winfree Allison. His parents owned a grade A dairy farm where he learned milking when he was very young. They also grew tobacco, hay and corn. Jean grew up on her parent’s farm approximately five miles from the Allison farm. Her parents were Lacy and Ethel Simpson. She has one sister, Mrs. Jackie Wright. Jean always loved the farm following her Father many times to check on livestock. He was a farmer and livestock trader. They raised sheep, hogs, cattle, mules and goats.
Billy Joe graduated from Watertown High in 1955 and Jean followed in 1956. Jean went on to attend Cumberland University and Billy Joe went to work in Nashville at Western Electric. In 1958 they were married and moved to the farm where they still live. This started their farming career on nights and weekends. However, the dairy cows were calling, so in 1964 they built a Grade A milk barn which began a thirty-year shared career. In 1993 the dairy cows were sold and so began the Allison’s commercial beef herd which allows them to travel. Jean has served on the Farm Service Agency County Committee for nine years. She currently serves a minority advisor for this committee; a position she has held for six years. Billy Joe has served as a director for the Wilson Farmers Co-op and the Wilson County Farm Bureau. Jean and Billy Joe are members of the Wilson County Livestock Association. Billy Joe was an original member of the Community Council for Wilson Bank and Trust.
In 1989 they were recognized as the Conservation Farmer of the Year and have completed the Master Beef Producer program. They are both members of the Commerce Church of Christ. Home is the same farm where they have lived for sixty-one years. Their picturesque farm can be seen on the north side of I-40E being the last farm in Wilson County. They will tell you farming is and has been a rewarding life. Their greatest accomplishment is their children and grandchildren and the caring people that they have become.
