Why do you suppose that Troy is afraid of the “devil” and not “Death”?

Troy talks about when he had pneumonia in 1n 1941. Troy claims that he spoke with Death and fought him for three days and three nights. Troy came out victorious. Troy fears the Devil even more because he owes the Devil and the Devil always collects his due. Troy claims a door to door salesman, the Devil, sold him furniture. He has to pay the devil back for the furniture he bought.