Billy Hale

Billy Luther Hale, 85, of Athens, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Born July 31, 1929, and raised in the Gratis community of Walton County, Georgia, he was the son of the late Joel Park and Alma Adams Hale. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1946, where he was an outstanding basketball player. The next year, while attending Mercer University, he was stricken with a crippling spinal tumor, leaving him paralyzed for over a year. Through determination and extensive rehabilitation, he regained the use of his legs. He then attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1953 with a degree in business administration. He began his career working for the Georgia Department of Revenue in the Sales Tax Division in Atlanta.

Billy met the love of his life, Gloria Frederick, on a blind date in 1960 and the two married in 1962. They moved to Athens in 1964 where he began a private accounting practice. A lifetime member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, he served many individual and business accounts for more than thirty years, including Oglesby Oil Company of Athens, with which he had a long-term association.

His Christian faith was central in his life. He grew up in the Baptist church and was a youth “sword drill” champion (a fact he liked to brag about even in his later years). After moving to Athens, he and Gloria joined Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church. There he served for many years as church treasurer, and was a faithful member of the Co-Workers Sunday School Class and the Men’s Fellowship.

Billy had a deep love for his family and was a devoted father and grandfather. He spent countless hours attending his children’s ballgames and other activities and in his later years took great delight in spending time with his five grandchildren. He especially loved family vacations, including annual beach trips to St. Simons Island.

He is predeceased by his parents, Park and Alma Hale; two brothers, Lamar Hale and Jack Hale; two sisters, Runelle Hale George and Maggie Hale Goddard; and his daughter, Melissa Hale Matthews. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Frederick Hale; two sons, Bill Hale and his wife Allison of Athens, and Mark Hale and his wife Anitra of Bishop; son-in-law Rob Matthews of Watkinsville; grandchildren Emmeline Hale, Isabelle Hale, Macey Matthews, Hudson Hale, and Sadie Hale; and several nieces and nephews. The family also wishes to thank the administration and staff at Quiet Oaks Health Care Center in Crawford, Georgia, where he spent the last two years of his life.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 at Bernstein’s Funeral Home in Athens. Following a private family burial, funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 at Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens, with the Rev. David Wofford officiating. Memorials may be made to Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church.