Billy Ray Handy

He was born June 27, 1956, in Wilkes County and was the son of the late Mack Charlie Handy and Mearle Blevins Watson. Prior to his disability retirement, he worked for several years with JPS, Inc. He enjoyed hunting, turkey shoots, coon hunting and especially enjoyed running his dogs. His greatest joy was his grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Ray Handy; a sister, Ester Mae Handy; and a brother, Bobby Handy.

He is survived by a daughter, Wendy Bell; a son, Adam (Cynthia) Handy, both of Statesville; eight grandchildren, Adam Ray Handy, Jr., Austin Mack Handy, Alyssa Nicole Handy, Miranda Lynn Handy, Richard Zackery Williams, Shianna Nicole Williams, Anna Marie McCann, and Jeannie Ruth Willard; a great-grandson, Brandon Ray Williams; five sisters, Virginia Watson of Elkin, Rita Handy Anderson of Lexington, Patsy Lail of Taylorsville, Angie Holder of Elkin, and Tina (Rodney) Lambert of Sparta; three brothers, Charlie (Edith) Handy, Jamie Handy and Chris (Paula) McHargue, all of Statesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service celebrating Billy’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, November 14, 2013, in the Westmoreland Chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Pope officiating. Burial will be held at 3:30 PM Thursday in the White Rock Baptist Church Cemetery in Thurmond.

Chris Handy, Mark Handy, Paul Campbell, Gage Handy, Zackery Williams, Larry Watson and Dale Watson will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesday at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home which is entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.