Billy Lawrence Hammack, Sr

Billy L. Hammack, Sr., 86, of Hoschton, GA, formerly of Albany, GA, died Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, Seneca, SC, following a long battle with lung cancer. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home with military honors. Rev. Russell Anglin and Rev. Charlie Rouse will officiate. A private interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Sylvester, GA.

A native of Albany, GA, Mr. Hammack had resided in the Del Webb community of the Village at Deaton Creek in Hoschton, GA since late 2009. He was retired from the Air Force and was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, seven sisters and his wife, Edna Nadine Hammack.

Mr. Hammack served two years in the US Army during WW II, stationed in Germany. He later joined the US Air Force and had a 20-year career, stationed in Georgia, Florida, Texas and France. He achieved the rank of Sr. Master Sergeant and at one time was Crew Chief of the Skyblazers, the Air Force aerial acrobatics team in Europe. While in the Air Force, he also served a tour in Vietnam.

Survivors include one sister, Lillie Hathcock, Lawrenceville, GA; two daughters, Brenda Rutledge (Harold), Walhalla, SC, Beverly Brigman, Pensacola, FL, three sons: Larry Hammack (Barbara), Montclair, VA, Billy Hammack, Jr., Huntsville, AL, and Tony Hammack (Tania), Albany, GA; eleven grandchildren: Brent Oglesby (Joanna), Lilburn, GA, Tiffany Kollander (Mike), Conway, AR, Jason Brigman (Laura), The Woodlands, TX, Jeff Brigman (Christy), Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Kelly Ulloa (Richard), Pensacola, FL, Stephanie Jones (Joshua), Virginia Beach, VA, David Hammack, Arlington, VA, Krystye Hollis (James), Albany, GA, Todd Hammack, Albany, GA, Chris Hammack, St. Augustine, FL, and Devan Hammack, Albany, GA; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to any Hopice or the American Cancer Society 323 Pine Ave. Albany, GA 31701.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at Mathews Funeral Home.