Rincon – Billy Ray Whitley, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, November 8, 2021 at the age of 78.

He was born in Savannah, GA on August 27, 1943 and was a graduate of Savannah High c/o 1961.  He retired from Bell South Phone Company after 33 years of service.

Billy Ray was a member of Rincon First Baptist Church and member of Larry Carver's Sunday School Class.  He loved the Lord and read his Bible every morning before anything else.  He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and helping his children and grandchildren.  He loved the Great Smokey Mountains almost as much as his family.

Billy Ray was preceded in death by his father and mother, Willis and Sible Brown Whitley; and a daughter, Allison Whitley Hartley.

Surviving him are his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Parham Whitley; a son, Lee Whitley (Anna); 2 daughters, Joy Whitley Padgett (Jared) and Darlene Whitley; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Whitley (Glenda); 2 sisters, Jaki Petrea and Cheryl Pass (Tony).

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to his favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Strickland's Funeral Home in Rincon, GA.

Funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Gary Lewis at Rincon First Baptist Church on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 10 a.m. with a burial service following at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Savannah, GA.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421