Elvis And His Cousin Billy Smith
Billy Smith was Elvis’s first cousin, the son of Travis, Gladys’s older brother. He was 8 years younger than Elvis, and they grew up together in Tupelo. He was the youngest of the cousins. Billy was Elvis’s favorite. Elvis often said he wanted to make sure Billy grew up to be a good man, and Billy never let him down.
Billy and his family also went to Memphis when the Presleys moved away from Tupelo, trying to find work and assistance that would allow them to lead a life far removed from the absolute poverty in which they lived.
The Smith family was also a very poor family, and Billy remembers an anecdote from when he was a child.
Elvis and Billy would pick up fruit thrown away by the owner of the fruit stand next to their house to take home to eat. Billy, one day, leaned into a dumpster to get some fruit and fell on his head, so Elvis had to pull him out of the bin. They would often pick up bananas and, apparently, turnip greens too.
They had to eat these turnip greens for over a month when they moved to Memphis. Billy says Elvis swore he’d never eat one after that. Elvis alluded to them in his famous song “Polk Salad Annie.” They’re the famous “turning greens” the song refers to.
When Elvis bought Graceland, Billy’s family moved in as well. His father, Travis, worked for Elvis as the house’s chief security guard.
When Billy was old enough, he also began working for Elvis and became part of the Memphis Mafia and would also become responsible for Elvis’s wardrobe.
Billy and his wife, Jo, lived behind the main house at Graceland, except for a few years when Billy worked on the railroad. They were a family and were by Elvis’s side until the last day and moment of his life.
They were always great friends, and to Elvis, he was like a little brother. Billy was Elvis’s constant companion, and his affection and loyalty lasted until the end of Elvis’s life.
Billy was one of the last people with Elvis before his death and spent that last night and early morning with him.
Billy currently lives in Mississippi.
Article written and provided by Rosa García Mora
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