Billy Lee Gilreath

Billy Lee Gilreath, 91, of LaFayette, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 23, 2022. He was born in Summerville, Georgia, on July 31, 1931, to the late Lee Burk and Ortha Powell Gilreath and lived in the North Georgia area for most of his life. Billy was a graduate of Menlo High School where he was a member of the basketball team, and they went to the state championship his senior year. He went to work at MVM and attended Tennessee Temple University. He graduated from Gupton-Jones Mortuary College in Dallas, Texas, as a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer and continued to keep his licenses current until the early 2000’s. Billy made a lifelong career in the insurance industry and retired from Gulf Life/American General/AIG in 1993. In addition, Billy devoted his life to the Lord’s service as a Music Director and Worship Leader. He served in many different churches for over 60 years, including South Summerville Baptist, Second Baptist Church in LaFayette, Central Baptist Church in Athens, Tennessee, Welcome Hill Baptist Church in Trion, Ridgeview Baptist Church in LaFayette, Lookout Baptist Church in the Fairview Community, and Emmanuel Baptist Church in LaFayette, just to name a few. Even though he served in many churches over the years, his dear pastor and friend, the late Bro. C.F. Strickland, truly saw how the Lord used him. He once said, “The Lord calls Billy to churches for various amounts of time to use him like a musical evangelist. He brings choral arrangements in, teaches choirs how to sing parts, builds their confidence, and then the Lord calls him to the next need. This gives churches a great base of music to build on after he moves on.” Billy and his wife Jane served the Lord faithfully during their entire 49-year marriage, and where the Lord led, they followed. Billy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew him. During his battle with Alzheimer’s, his grandsons Hunter and Taylor Burnette were his faithful caregivers. He was also preceded in death by his wife & love of his life, Jane Williams Gilreath, sister Ann Gilley, brother-in-law Granville “Buddy” Gilley, and infant son Rodney Gilreath. Survivors include his daughters and spouses: Leeann & Carroll Roberts and Karen & Phillip Garrett; 5 grandchildren and spouses: Hunter Burnette, Taylor Burnette, Bethany & Eric Maguire, Jordan DeSantis, and Jake-Aaron Roberts; great granddaughter: Ruca DeSantis, and numerous extended family & friends. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in the LaFayette Chapel with Rev. Ricky Studdard officiating. Burial will follow in the Crestlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday and prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes, LaFayette Chapel, LaFayette, Georgia.

Billy Lee Gilreath

July 31, 2022 - October 23, 2022