Howard Industries founder Billy Howard Sr. passed away at the age of 99, the company announced on Wednesday. Howard was born in Louisville in 1927 and later became a star student-athlete at Mississippi State University, where he lettered in a trio of sports and earned an electrical engineering degree. In 1968, Howard left his post at General Electric to start his own company, Howard Industries, in Laurel. Howard Industries is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of electrical distribution transformers. Howard, a Mississippi Business Hall of Fame member and former Entrepreneur of the Year, was also involved in philanthropy, promoting education campaigns, and supporting athletics operations at his alma mater, Mississippi State.