Former homeless Veteran Billy Truesdell’s true colors shine through

Billy Truesdell enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and, for eight years, oversaw hydraulics systems for helicopters and DC-9 aircrafts. He enjoyed the structure and change of scenery the Navy offered, particularly when visiting foreign cities such as London and Sicily.

After getting out of the Navy and experiencing a bout of homelessness, he found the place he belongs most: helping other Veterans. But finding that home wasn’t an easy journey.

Always ready to deliver gift of hope

All possessions destroyed by fire

In 1990, Truesdell’s apartment and all his possessions were destroyed by a fire. Two days later, he was scheduled to be on a helicopter flight that crashed and killed everyone on board. “On that day, my active drinking took off,” Truesdell recalled. Once he began drinking, it was hard to stop.

As he pursued a civilian career in law enforcement, he discovered heavy drinking was not viewed as a negative behavior. It was part of the culture at the time.

Looking back, he knew that being surrounded by normalized heavy alcohol use was poisonous. “I always knew I was an alcoholic,” he said. “But in 2010, it became obvious.”

“A hell of a ride”

Alcohol seemed to take nearly everything Truesdell had, including his marriage, his license, his job and his ranch. He was even charged with driving under the influence.

As he stood in front of the mirror in the jail, he remembers barely recognizing the reflection staring back at him. Words from his first AA sponsor rang in his head: “When you don’t know how to pray, say God, please help me.”

He said it. Then Truesdell returned to his sister’s house and slept sober for the first time in years.

 Truesdell agreed to participate in a Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC), which doesn’t seek to determine whether a defendant is guilty of an offense but rather to ensure that Veterans receive treatment to address unmet clinical needs, such as addiction. What began as a consequence of his DUI turned out to be an important step toward changing his life.

Caseworkers reminded him that he mattered

His caseworkers at the VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System helped him understand and process the trauma he carried, including childhood experiences he had not previously talked about. More importantly, they also showed him compassion and reminded him that he mattered.

Through his VA team, Truesdell learned he was eligible for a range of programs to help him recover from the losses he had endured that left him penniless and homeless. He received support with finding an affordable place to live as well as access to VA services to support his recovery.

After his first year of sobriety, Truesdell felt ready to do more to fulfill the promise he made to his VTC judge, a commitment that he would help others.

When he heard that some of his fellow VTC participants were also struggling with the challenges of recovery, he started a weekly tradition. Over coffee and pancakes, the Veterans discussed their experiences, reflections and struggles. Every Sunday, Truesdell saw their support system among the group growing stronger. The Veterans found solace in their friendship and, together, they found ways to see life “sunny side up.”

“I finally found where I am supposed to be”

Soon enough, feeling grounded in his recovery process, Truesdell wanted to return to the workforce. “I was ready to give back,” he said. In his new role assisting individuals experiencing homelessness at a local non-profit, he found his calling.

In April 2021, he received an unexpected offer. Did he want to come work for Tennessee VA’s HUD-VASH program to help Veterans experiencing homelessness?

Today, Truesdell works as a VA peer support specialist, dedicated to showing Veterans that no matter what they are dealing with—addiction, unemployment, family stress—there’s a way. “It’s okay not to be okay,” he said. “It’s what you do with not being okay that matters.”

People and resources ready to help

He tells his clients that inherent in the title of Veteran is a lifelong guarantee that there will be people and resources ready to help. “I owe that title. That’s what I think. I owe VA for getting me out of hell,” he added.

He works tirelessly every day to connect Veterans with the services they need. On Sundays, he drives two hours each way to support participants in the Veterans Justice Outreach Program. He smiles, saying, “It’s worth every second.”

With his impressive white beard, Billy has earned the nickname “Santa Claus” among friends and colleagues. No matter how far he needs to travel, he is always ready to deliver the most important gift there is: hope.

Learn about VA programs

• If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
• Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
• Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
• For more stories like these, visit the HPO website and subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.