Billy Wayne Childree, 82, of Columbus, Georgia, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, Georgia while surrounded by his family.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 3:00 PM EST (2:00 PM CST) on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, located at 3738 U.S. Highway 431 North Phenix City, Alabama, with Minister Catherine Childree officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Childree, born in Dale County, Alabama, was the son of the late R. D. Childree and Mary Belle Lamb Childree. Billy lived most of his early life in the Dothan, Alabama area working for Georgia Pacific Paper Company. He later moved to Fayetteville, GA and continued working in the paper industry until he retired to Lake Sinclair, GA. Mr. Childree enjoyed woodworking and was considered a Master Craftsman. He was known for his sense of humor and always found humor in any life event. Billy was always in search of the “World’s Greatest Hot Dog” and was not easily impressed. He enjoyed traveling, always in search of new food experiences. He was known by his friends and family as a “Grill Master” and when he cooked, he insisted on cooking and feeding everyone. Mr. Childree was a member of the Holiday Shores Volunteer Fire Department in Sparta, GA. Billy also had a strong faith in God and was a member and deacon of Island Creek Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years. Above all, he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.

In addition to his parents Mr. Childree was preceded in death his wife Judy G. Childree and a sister in law Linda Childree.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Melissa Childree Wright (James) of Hamilton, GA; sons Michael D. Childree (Karla) of Phenix City, AL and Timothy Childree (Catherine) of Columbus, GA; brothers Bobby Childree of Destin, FL, Ronnie Childree (Sarah) of Dothan, AL and James Lamb (Jane) of Dothan, AL; grandchildren Patrick Conner Moore, Trey Childree (LeAnn), Palmer Bennett, and Miranda Williams (Payton) and great grandchildren Jayden Childree, Braylen Childree, Madelyn Childree and Noah Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to Valley Rescue Mission 2903 2^nd Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31904.