William Pope (Billy) Hembree

Mr. William (Billy) Pope Hembree, 67, departed this life on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Born in Moultrie, Georgia and a native of Sale City, Georgia, Billy was born to the late James Arthur and Mary (nee Brewer) Hembree on October 3, 1950. Billy is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sharon Kaye Hembree (nee Breckenridge) and he was preceded in death by five sisters, Myrtle (Cootsie), Gladys (Shorty), Betty (Wink), Ruby (Grady), and Sara (Toy Sr.).

Billy was a devoted husband who taught his friends and family how to stand firm in their beliefs and to live life with honesty and a good work ethic. Billy worked many years in the auto parts industry, including Pritchett Ford for 21 years, his own business, K&W Auto Parts in Camilla, G&W Auto parts for eight years, and finished his career with Clyde Frazier, a dear friend, at A1 Auto Air and Radiator in Leesburg, Georgia. He turned countless colleagues into lifelong friends. He retired to his dream home on Lake Eufaula (Georgetown) with Sharon in 2017. His favorite pastimes included reading the newspaper outloud to Sharon (much to her dismay), riding dirt roads, fishing, hunting for the elusive bucks at Smithy Jack’s Hunting Club, and serving as a long time member and past officer of the Southwest Georgia Sportsmen’s Club. He was especially proud of his adopted daughter, Melissa Myers (PITA), and the man and hunter he mentored in his grandson, Nick Myers (Little Bubba to his Big Bubba).

He will forever be remembered by his adopted daughter, Melissa Myers (Mike Mobley); his grandson, Nick Myers; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda Kappert (Gerrit), Candy Mann, Sharon Hembree (Billy), William Breckenridge, Wendy Breckenridge, and Wesley Breckenridge (Norma Sue); his nieces and nephews, Gloria Provoncha (Keith), Robin Berry (Chris), Lorelei Mears, Dianna Zeh (Phil) James Hall, Rick Mears, Alex Breckenridge, Lauren Padesky (Chris), Linda Deloach (Johnny), Toy Allen Jr. (Leslie), Lynn Melvin, Jimmy Allen (Alicia), Michael Allen (Elizabeth), Toni Johnston (Randy), Winiford Jones Jr. (Sherril), Joyce Ragusa (Steve), James Cross, Barbara Kicklighter (Herbie), Tommy Cross (Dianne), Becky Mulky, Bobby Cross (Jeanette), Debra Riggins (Bill), Billy Wayne Robinson, Judy Hall, Donna Grier (Paul); his great nieces and nephews, Jeremy Provoncha (Samantha), Christopher Provoncha, Michael Provoncha, Kimberly Mears, Trey Zeh, Tiffany Wright, Tanya Wright, Taylor Wright, Denali Padesky, Steven Ragusa, Angela Larsen (Aaron), and Kevin Kicklighter; and many great, great nieces & nephews.

The family will receive friends and family at a visitation on Thursday, April 12, 2018, from 6:00 - 8:00 at Mathews Funeral Home, 3206 Gillionville Rd., Albany, GA 31721. The funeral service, led by Rev Frank Hughes, is Friday, April 13, 2018 at 3:00 pm. The burial will follow immediately at the Sale City Cemetery in Sale City, Georgia. Pallbearers are Robert Barrett, Chris Berry, Mike Mobley, Herbie Kicklighter, Jeremy Provoncha, Chris Provoncha, Steven Ragusa, Kevin Kicklighter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the National Kidney Foundation at https://team.kidney.org/campaign/Hembree.