Mr. Billy Langston Whitley, 80 of Blackshear, passed away Thursday evening, August 21, 2025 at his residence following an extended illness.
Born September 18, 1944, in Alma, Whitley was a son of the late Junior Lee and Marion Nadine Sweat Whitley. He lived most of his life in Ware and Pierce Counties.
Whitley was a veteran having served in the United States Army. He had worked as a truck driver for many years, driving for Dixie Concrete and Coca-Cola and was a member of Word of Life Worship in Blackshear.
Whitley was a loving father and doting “Papa” who never missed a chance to say “I love you” or to offer a strongly worded opinion when something didn’t sit right. He cherished his family and friends fiercely, and
they always knew exactly where they stood with him — as did several auto dealerships, bank managers, and at least one unsuspecting cable company.
His opinions were unfiltered, his loyalty never in question, and his volume control was permanently set to “passionate”.
In addition to his parents, Whitley was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Fay Kirkland; two brothers, Tommy Whitley and Johnny Whitley; and a stepdaughter, Hope Peeples.
Survivors include three children, Tim Whitley of Bradenton, Fla., Linda Chaney (husband Brent) of Gray, Ga., and Pamela Hendricks (husband Clayton) of Jesup; eight grandchildren, Drew Manning, Cierra Manning, Alyssa Manning, Crissy Christian (husband Wade), Caedmon Chaney, Devin Taylor, Kendle Taylor and Sydney Taylor; fiancé, Lillian Taylor of Blackshear; three sisters, Helen Whitley and Mary Allman, both of Blackshear, and Patricia King (husband Richard) of Patterson; two brothers, David Whitley (wife Karen) of Blackshear and James Whitley of Hoboken; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A funeral service was held Monday, August 24 in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
