Billy L Mann

Billy Lavaughn Mann, age 94, of Stone Mountain, GA passed away on March 18, 2018 with his loving family by his side. He was born February 20, 1924 in Alexander City, AL to William B. Mann and Martha Ann Adamson Mann and was the oldest of their six children. He attended Alexander City High School where he played football. After high school he worked several years in various places in airplane plants during World War II producing war materials. He attended Auburn University where he played football for the Auburn Tigers as a running back and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1947 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He worked for Avondale Mills in Sylacauga, AL for a few years and then moved to Decatur, GA in 1951. He went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as an aeronautical engineer and retired from there in 1989. Mr. Mann had a lifelong love of football and loved watching his Auburn Tigers play and regularly went back to Auburn during football season to attend games. He was a high school football referee for 35 years and enjoyed playing football in the front yard with his son and the neighborhood boys. Mr. Mann also loved music particularly from the Big Band era and Glenn Miller was his favorite band and he was a very good dancer. After retirement he remained active and was very involved with the AARP chapter at his church. He also enjoyed traveling in the US and other countries, spending time with family, watching football, and playing bridge. At the age of 67 he went on a bicycle riding trip throughout the countryside of England. He also enjoyed tennis and played until he was 89 with his tennis buddies at the Mountain Park Tennis Center.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years Edna Hardman Mann; his daughter Cheryl Mann Ray (Steve), Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren Steven Ray (Michelle), Woodstock, GA, Stacie Ray Dzan (Justin), Louisville, KY, Laura Mann Polan (Geoff), Atlanta, GA and Callie Maria Mann, Atlanta, GA; sister Sue Mann Loyd (Jimmy), Alexander City, AL, and brother Jim Mann (Carolyn), Panama City, FL; great grandchildren Caitlin and Dylan Ray, Claire and Ava Dzan; great-great grandchild Mason Young, several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, 4 step children, several step-grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Special appreciation is given to his step-granddaughter Debbie Buchanan who was his loving caregiver.

He was preceded in death by Sarah McEwen Mann, his wife for 41 years, and his son William Gregory Mann.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Oak Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 3150 Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker, GA 30084 and Service will be Thursday, March 22 at 2:00 PM at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd., Decatur, GA 30033 with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 prior to service. Burial in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.