Billy Louis Pelfrey, 77, of Dalton, GA, died Tuesday morning, September 18, 2012 at the local hospital.
Billy was born September 3, 1935 in Gordon County, GA, a son of the late Samuel and Annie Bell Clark Pelfrey; and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kim Pelfrey Caylor; his father-in-law, Lloyd Carlton Benson; and brothers-in-law, Paul Grant and Jack Benson.
Billy was a 1956 graduate of Valley Point High School where he led the 1955 and 1956 basketball team to the Georgia State Championship and then attended Young Harris College on a basketball scholarship. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Billy was an avid sportsman and loved playing golf. He was a technical service manager for Textile Rubber and Chemical Company and was retired after 41 years. He was a member of Dug Gap Baptist Church since 1972. He was a member of the Dalton Golf County Club which was his home away from home for over 30 years.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Claire Benson Pelfrey of the residence; daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Ed Willman of Dalton; grandchildren, Cassandra and Matt King of Smyrna, GA and Jonathan Willman; sister, Vivian Grant; mother-in-law, Virginia Benson of Dalton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lanny and Emily Benson of LaFayette, Mike Benson of Thailand, Wade and Marisa Benson of Atlanta and Jeanelle Benson of John Creek, GA; and several nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Billy Louis Pelfrey will be held Thursday, September 20, at noon at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Bill Walker officiating. He will be laid to rest at the United Memorial Gardens with Jonathan Willman, Matt King, Bud Haley, Willard Foster, Lowell Fritz, Kerry Sikes and Richard Hennier serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel after 10:30a.m. Thursday, September 20.
Ponders Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.