Billy Dean O’Kelley

Mr. Billy Dean O’Kelley, 75, of Braselton, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Rev. Drewery Loggins and Rev. Barry Porter will officiate. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28, 2023 and Friday, December 29, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Born on October 11, 1948 in Gainesville, he was the son of the late Jim and Ruby Jarrard O’Kelley. Billy’s love was for Southern Gospel Music. He learned to play piano at a young age. In his early life, he played for the Master’s Quartet and later for the Royal’s Quartet. Then for over 30 years he played for the Sunny South Quartet. One of Billy’s greatest memories is playing for Sunny South when they made several appearances at the Grand Ole Gospel at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Billy would also talk about the many, many miles he traveled together and all the wonderful friendships that started thru this music. After Sunny South retired, Billy sang with the Homeland Boys. Billy was a good musician and an excellent quartet man. For a number of years, Billy worked for Memorial Park Funeral Home where he retired. Mr. O’Kelley was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his parents, Mr. O’Kelley was preceded in death by his wife, Jetta O’Kelley.

Mr. O’Kelley is survived by his daughter, Natasha Harned of Braselton; son, Chris Haynes of Braselton; daughters, Ronda O’Kelley of Jefferson, Wendy Denise Sander of Hoschton; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and a number of other loving relatives.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com