Billy Langston Whitley

Mr. Billy Langston Whitley, age 80, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday evening (8/21/25) at his residence following an extended illness.

Born September 18, 1944, in Alma, Georgia, he was a son of the late Junior Lee and Marion Nadine Sweat Whitley. He lived most of his life in Ware and Pierce Counties and was a veteran, having served in the United States Army. He had worked as a truck driver for many years, driving for Dixie Concrete and Coca-Cola and was a member of Word of Life Worship in Blackshear.

Billy was a loving father and doting “Papa” who never missed a chance to say “I love you” or to offer a strongly worded opinion when something didn’t sit right. He cherished his family and friends fiercely, and they always knew exactly where they stood with him — as did several auto dealerships, bank managers, and at least one unsuspecting cable company.  His opinions were unfiltered, his loyalty never in question, and his volume control was permanently set to “passionate”.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Fay Kirkland; 2 brothers, Tommy Whitley and Johnny Whitley; and a stepdaughter, Hope Peeples.

Survivors include 3 children, Tim Whitley of Bradenton, FL, Linda Chaney (husband Brent) of Gray, GA, and Pamela Hendricks (husband Clayton) of Jesup; 8 grandchildren, Drew Manning, Cierra Manning, Alyssa Manning, Crissy Christian (husband Wade), Caedmon Chaney, Devin Taylor, Kendle Taylor, and Sydney Taylor; fiancé, Lillian Taylor of Blackshear; 3 sisters, Helen Whitley and Mary Allman, both of Blackshear, and Patricia King (husband Richard) of Patterson; 2 brothers, David Whitley (wife Karen) of Blackshear and James Whitley of Hoboken; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Monday (8/25/25) at 12 p.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday one hour prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy Langston Whitley, please visit our floral store.