UNION:

Billy Steven Harber, also known as Coach Harber to many, 72, won his final game and entered Heaven's gate on December 17, 2025.

Coach Harber was a lifelong coach for 51 years where he touched and impacted athletes and students in not only in basketball but also in the game of life. As a proud Mississippi State University Alumni, he began his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Decatur, and later coached at Sturgis High School, Union High School, Forest High School, Lamar School, Newton County High School, and Newton County Academy.

Coach and Pam, his wife of 52 years, have spent a lifetime that consisted of faith, family, and basketball. Whether he was leading his family or his players, everything always began with Jesus. They are long time members of Clarke-Venable Memorial Baptist Church in Decatur, MS. Pam was his biggest supporter, no matter the distance she had to travel. Everyone knew that no game would start until Coach saw her sitting in the stands. Without a doubt, she was the only one that could keep him from getting those technical fouls.

When not in the basketball gym, you could find him watching his beloved MSU Bulldogs play while ringing his infamous cowbell, reading a book by one of his favorite authors, John Grisham and James Patterson, or working outside in his yard and pool alongside his "boss" Pam.

Although he did have many great accomplishments, his proudest was the family that he created earning the title of "Deddy" and "Papaw". He never missed an opportunity to talk to anyone who would listen about his "Harber girls" and his grandchildren. His heart always belonged wherever his grandchildren were.

In his 51 years of coaching he had over 1000 basketball wins, the honor of being selected All-Star Coach numerous times, and touched the lives of students and athletes both on and off the hardwood.

Heaven needed a coach and is learning how to run a half court trap now! Save us all a fist bump coach! See ya soon!

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Billy Worthington "Tony" Harber and Patsy Reeves Harber, as well as his grandmother Gladys Reeves.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Pam Pugh Harber; daughter Brandi (Todd) Reeves; daughter Stacie (James) Reese; daughter Stephanie (Eric) Houston; grandsons Peyton (Lauren) Reeves, Harber (Evie) Reese, Lawson Reeves, Eric Houston II, Aiden Houston, Brody Reese, Braylon Houston, Bear Reese, and Easton Houston; granddaughters Abby Reeves, Zoe Norsworthy, Embrey (Emme) Reese, Shyla Houston, Kindall Houston, Jaimsey Reese, Sailor Reese, and Rebel Reese; great grandson John Reese; great granddaughter, expected in July 2026, Madeline Harber Reeves who will all miss him tremendously.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 21, from 1:30-3:00pm at Clarke Venable Memorial Baptist Church in Decatur. Rev. Mark Vincent will be officiating a celebration of life at 3:00pm.  Arrangements are being made by Milling Funeral Home of Union.

Pallbearers: Peyton Reeves, Harber Reese, Lawson Reeves, Eric Houston II, Aiden Houston, and Brody Reese

Honorary Pallbearers: Jeff Breland, Brad Breland, Michael Graham, Chad Harrison, and Allen Ware

In lieu of flowers, the Harber Family requests that donations be made to The Halo House Foundation or The Lymphoma and Myeloma Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Click here Home | Halo House or Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma | MD Anderson Cancer Center