Billy R. Whelchel

Billy R. Whelchel, 91, of Gainesville, died Tuesday, Nobember 28, 2023, following an extended illness.

Mr. Whelchel graduated from Riverbend High School in 1950 and married the late Mrs. Genie E. (Loggins) Whelchel, July 28, 1951.

From 1950 to 1953, Mr. Whelchel worked as a farmer and driver at Lawson and White Lumber Company in Gainesville.

In July 1953, Mr. Whelchel enlisted in the US Army and deployed to the Republic of Korea for one year serving as a Combat Engineer in the Special Training Regiment, 366th Engineer Aviation Battalion, 8th Infantry Division.  Upon his redeployment from Korea, he was assigned to Company B, 169th Engineer Battalion (Construction), Camp Stewart, GA and Company I, 3rd Battalion, 519th Infantry Regiment.  His awards and decorations included: National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Overseas Service Medal.

After Mr. Whelchel’s military service, he worked for several trucking and logistics companies in the Gainesville and Atlanta area for over 67 years.  During this time span, he was a member of the American Trucking Association, Georgia Poultry Federation, and was named in Who’s Who in Trucking.  His last position in logistics was with Overdrive Logistics Inc., Gainesville, GA where he worked until 2020.

          Mr. Whelchel was a supporter of Boy Scout Troop 26, sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Gainesville.  He served on the Troop’s transportation and advancement committees and routinely accompanied the scouts during local and out of town trips.  Mr. Whelchel was selected as a member of the Order of the Arrow, an honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath.

Mr. Whelchel was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia for over 40 years.

Mr. Whelchel is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years,                   Mrs. Genie E. (Loggins) Whelchel, Mr. Sam Bill and Mrs. Clara (Kemp) Whelchel, and granddaughter Mallory Whelchel.

Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Jim Gailey, Clermont, Georgia; his brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Deborah Whelchel, Clarkesville, Georgia; his sister-in-law, Mary Nell White, Gainesville, Georgia; his son and daughter in law, Jeff and Tina Whelchel, Madison, Alabama; and his grandson, Logan Whelchel, Washington D.C. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you and recognize Overdrive Logistics Inc., Gainesville, Georgia and the Longstreet Restaurant on Riverside Terrace, Gainesville, Georgia for their unwavering support to the late Mr. and Mrs. Billy and Genie Whelchel.   

The family will receive family and friends from 4:00 to 6:30 pm, Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Memorial Park Funeral Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Dr, Gainesville, GA 30501. The funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Friday, December, 1, 2023 at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Dr, Gainesville, GA 30501.  Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Dr. Tyler Smiley, Dr. Jerry Gill and Rev Don Ormsbee will officiate the memorial service and grave side remarks at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Whelchel requested contributions be made in his memory to Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 and / or Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

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