Charles William "Billy" Rushing

Charles William “Billy” Rushing, age 81, died Thursday morning in the Ogeechee Area Hospice peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born July 27, 1932 in Statesboro, Ga., graduated from Statesboro High School in 1950 and from the University of Georgia in 1959 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Billy lived in Monroe, N.C. for 9 years before returning to Statesboro in 1968. He retired from United States Steel Agri-Chemical Division after 27 years and was employed with Forest Heights Country Club as the Director of Tennis for 17 years retiring in 2003. He was a member of the First Baptist Church for over 50 years, a member of the Bill Bowen Sunday School Class, a member of the Bulloch-Statesboro Chamber of Commerce and a member of Forest Heights County Club where he served on the Board of Directors for several years. He was a member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association and served as President of the Statesboro Georgia Bulldog Club for 25 years. He volunteered for A Day For Southern and IGOT Campaign for Ogeechee Technical College. Billy was a Veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean Conflict. He was an avid tennis player, also enjoyed golfing and fishing and loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother and his father, Ethel and Thomas Edward Rushing, Sr.; his step mother, Alene Rushing; his sister and her husband, Jackie R. and Bob Whitton; his brother and his wife, Eddie and Polly Rushing; his brother-in-law Lamar Trapnell.

Survivors are his wife of 58 years, Hilda Grogan Rushing of Statesboro; two daughters and son- in-laws Janet R. and Jeff Lanier and Deborah R. and Erik Kauber both of Statesboro; Sister Virginia R. Trapnell of Statesboro; 6 grandchildren Kacie Lanier, Taylor Lanier, Cody Lanier, Will Kauber, Lizzie Kauber and Hope Kauber; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 18, at 2:00pm at Statesboro First Baptist Church with Dr. John Waters and Dr. Bill Perry officiating.

Burial will be in the Eastside Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 17th, from 4:00pm to 6:30pm at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.

Active Pallbearers will be Nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Bill Bowen Sunday School Class and The Country Store Roundtable Gang.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Statesboro First Baptist Church Building Fund, 108 North Main St., Statesboro, Ga. or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459.

Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and fond memories with the Rushing family.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.