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May 14, 1940 – January 20, 2023
William “Billy” Joe Bennett, age 82 of Columbus, Georgia passed away peacefully on Friday January 20, 2023 at approximately 6:15 in the evening.
Billy was born in Jesup, GA but resided in Columbus, GA for the majority of his life.
The son of the late Norman Parker Bennett and the late Cartier Brown Bennett, Billy became a professional barber early in life. He worked alongside his father in a small shop right in the middle of his hometown of Jesup Georgia.
Eventually, life brought him to Columbus, GA where he met and married Sharilyn Martin Bennett Cody. They were married in Phenix City, AL on October 24, 1963. They went on to welcome their only child, a beloved daughter, Kimberly on September 19, 1964. Billy and Sharilyn eventually went their separate ways. They did however remain the best of friends and dedicated co-parents to their daughter. They would take on the added titles of loving co-grandparents in January of 1991 upon the birth of their only grandchild, Alyssa Ericson.
After many years of barbering, Billy decided it was time to embark on a new career path. This path led him to become a Civil Servant practicing as a Certified Pest Control and Extermination Specialist. Billy retired in the mid- 1990s after decades of proudly providing necessary and appreciated extermination services.
Never one to sit still, Billy quickly traded out retirement to dedicate himself entirely to his family which is what became his greatest joy and passion, always ensuring that they were his main priority.
He is survived by many beloved family members including his former wife, Sharilyn Martin Bennett Cody, daughter Kimberly Bennett Ericson, and granddaughter Alyssa Ericson (David). He is further survived by his devoted, and much-loved nephew and caregiver Jeffery Wayne Bennett. Additionally, he is survived by his brothers Richard Norman Bennett, Douglas Wayne Bennett, and Harry Eugene Bennett as well as Sisters Betty J. Davenport and Connie Sue Bennett.
A private memorial service is to be held for family and close friends at the Mosley-Bennett Family Cemetery in Jesup, GA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that a tribute donation be made to the not-for-profit BBB
Georgia Cremation-Columbus is assisting the family.
Connie Bennett (baby Sister) says
Billy Joe was my “BUBBY”. We were fishing partner’s, western movie lover’s (the older, the better,) He was Mama’s “My Billy”. As far as being the son to which you worried about the most, trusted the most, and called first no matter what the reason “My Billy” was the man. To his daughter, Kimberly He was everything! When Alyssa (Kim’s daughter was born) Billy was the happiest grandfather in the whole world!
Billy never met a stranger. He had his friends, his extended family. Good friends. He had lost a few along the way, and he would say,”gotta” mend that fence in the lower back 40, the herd’s starting to spread a little thin”.
I have felt a loss in my heart never to be filled by anything or anybody.
I love you “Bubby”.
Connie Bennett (baby Sister) says
Connie Bennett (baby Sister)
October 23, 2023 at 6:32 am
Billy Joe was my “BUBBY”. We were fishing partner’s, western movie lover’s (the older, the better,) He was Mama’s “My Billy”. As far as being the son to which you worried about the most, trusted the most, and called first no matter what the reason “My Billy” was the man. To his daughter, Kimberly He was everything! When Alyssa (Kim’s daughter was born) Billy was the happiest grandfather in the whole world!
Billy never met a stranger. He had his friends, his extended family. Good friends. He had lost a few along the way, and he would say,”gotta” mend that fence in the lower back 40, the herd’s starting to spread a little thin”.
I have felt a loss in my heart never to be filled by anything or anybody.
I love you “Bubby”.