Billy Ray Ramsey, of Marietta, passed away March 6, 2013 at the age of 78. Born in Murphy, North Carolina November 25, 1934, he was the youngest of eleven children born to John Martin and Ethel Lovinggood Ramsey.
He graduated from Murphy High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956 where he trained at Paris Island. After he returned home from service, while working at Independent Life Insurance Company in Atlanta, he met and married Shirley Gantt of Douglasville. He was a faithful and devoted husband, dad, and grandfather.
Bill was a vital member of the Marietta community. He had countless friends, and he never met a stranger. He had an uncanny knack for giving special nicknames and phrases. His quick wit and playful nature was enjoyed by many. Bill was the leader of a daily coffee pilgrimage to Huddle House. Many hoped they would be on the day's route…waiting for his horn to blow signaling time for hot coffee and fellowship. Near election days Bill was always promoting the need to vote and willing to provide guidance on candidates' strengths and weaknesses.
As an avid Marietta High School fan and supporter, he pridefully dragged the chains for the Marietta High School Blue Devils football program for 31 years, only missing one Friday night home game to attend his daughter's rehearsal dinner. As a tribute to his dedication, he was recognized by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 2004 as the recipient of the coveted Beverly Raines Award.
Perhaps one of the greatest roles Bill enjoyed was being "Bud" to his five grandchildren. He was proud of his grandchildren and shared his love of attending Friday night Marietta High School football games, 4th of July parades on the square, camping at Vogel State Park, bluegrass music, and his family heritage at the annual Ramsey/Lovinggood reunions in Hanging Dog, North Carolina.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Shirley Gantt Ramsey; daughters Karen Callaway (Bill), Kimberly Downey (Alan), and Kelley Gilreath (David); grandchildren Patrick Downey, Will Callaway, Olivia Callaway, Nelson Gilreath, and Emma Rae Gilreath. In addition, Bill is survived by his sister Grace Ramsey Hampton of Murphy, North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.
Billy Ray Ramsey will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marietta High School Sports Medicine Program, 1171 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, GA 30064, or the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3522 Hanging Dog Rd, Murphy, NC 28906.
Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.
He graduated from Murphy High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956 where he trained at Paris Island. After he returned home from service, while working at Independent Life Insurance Company in Atlanta, he met and married Shirley Gantt of Douglasville. He was a faithful and devoted husband, dad, and grandfather.
Bill was a vital member of the Marietta community. He had countless friends, and he never met a stranger. He had an uncanny knack for giving special nicknames and phrases. His quick wit and playful nature was enjoyed by many. Bill was the leader of a daily coffee pilgrimage to Huddle House. Many hoped they would be on the day's route…waiting for his horn to blow signaling time for hot coffee and fellowship. Near election days Bill was always promoting the need to vote and willing to provide guidance on candidates' strengths and weaknesses.
As an avid Marietta High School fan and supporter, he pridefully dragged the chains for the Marietta High School Blue Devils football program for 31 years, only missing one Friday night home game to attend his daughter's rehearsal dinner. As a tribute to his dedication, he was recognized by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 2004 as the recipient of the coveted Beverly Raines Award.
Perhaps one of the greatest roles Bill enjoyed was being "Bud" to his five grandchildren. He was proud of his grandchildren and shared his love of attending Friday night Marietta High School football games, 4th of July parades on the square, camping at Vogel State Park, bluegrass music, and his family heritage at the annual Ramsey/Lovinggood reunions in Hanging Dog, North Carolina.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Shirley Gantt Ramsey; daughters Karen Callaway (Bill), Kimberly Downey (Alan), and Kelley Gilreath (David); grandchildren Patrick Downey, Will Callaway, Olivia Callaway, Nelson Gilreath, and Emma Rae Gilreath. In addition, Bill is survived by his sister Grace Ramsey Hampton of Murphy, North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.
Billy Ray Ramsey will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marietta High School Sports Medicine Program, 1171 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, GA 30064, or the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3522 Hanging Dog Rd, Murphy, NC 28906.
Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.
Billy Ray Ramsey, of Marietta, passed away March 6, 2013 at the age of 78. Born in Murphy, North Carolina November 25, 1934, he was the youngest of eleven children born to John Martin and Ethel Lovinggood Ramsey.
He graduated from Murphy High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956 where he trained at Paris Island. After he returned home from service, while working at Independent Life Insurance Company in Atlanta, he met and married Shirley Gantt of Douglasville. He was a faithful and devoted husband, dad, and grandfather.
Bill was a vital member of the Marietta community. He had countless friends, and he never met a stranger. He had an uncanny knack for giving special nicknames and phrases. His quick wit and playful nature was enjoyed by many. Bill was the leader of a daily coffee pilgrimage to Huddle House. Many hoped they would be on the day's route…waiting for his horn to blow signaling time for hot coffee and fellowship. Near election days Bill was always promoting the need to vote and willing to provide guidance on candidates' strengths and weaknesses.
As an avid Marietta High School fan and supporter, he pridefully dragged the chains for the Marietta High School Blue Devils football program for 31 years, only missing one Friday night home game to attend his daughter's rehearsal dinner. As a tribute to his dedication, he was recognized by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 2004 as the recipient of the coveted Beverly Raines Award.
Perhaps one of the greatest roles Bill enjoyed was being "Bud" to his five grandchildren. He was proud of his grandchildren and shared his love of attending Friday night Marietta High School football games, 4th of July parades on the square, camping at Vogel State Park, bluegrass music, and his family heritage at the annual Ramsey/Lovinggood reunions in Hanging Dog, North Carolina.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Shirley Gantt Ramsey; daughters Karen Callaway (Bill), Kimberly Downey (Alan), and Kelley Gilreath (David); grandchildren Patrick Downey, Will Callaway, Olivia Callaway, Nelson Gilreath, and Emma Rae Gilreath. In addition, Bill is survived by his sister Grace Ramsey Hampton of Murphy, North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.
Billy Ray Ramsey will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marietta High School Sports Medicine Program, 1171 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, GA 30064, or the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3522 Hanging Dog Rd, Murphy, NC 28906.
Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.
He graduated from Murphy High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956 where he trained at Paris Island. After he returned home from service, while working at Independent Life Insurance Company in Atlanta, he met and married Shirley Gantt of Douglasville. He was a faithful and devoted husband, dad, and grandfather.
Bill was a vital member of the Marietta community. He had countless friends, and he never met a stranger. He had an uncanny knack for giving special nicknames and phrases. His quick wit and playful nature was enjoyed by many. Bill was the leader of a daily coffee pilgrimage to Huddle House. Many hoped they would be on the day's route…waiting for his horn to blow signaling time for hot coffee and fellowship. Near election days Bill was always promoting the need to vote and willing to provide guidance on candidates' strengths and weaknesses.
As an avid Marietta High School fan and supporter, he pridefully dragged the chains for the Marietta High School Blue Devils football program for 31 years, only missing one Friday night home game to attend his daughter's rehearsal dinner. As a tribute to his dedication, he was recognized by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 2004 as the recipient of the coveted Beverly Raines Award.
Perhaps one of the greatest roles Bill enjoyed was being "Bud" to his five grandchildren. He was proud of his grandchildren and shared his love of attending Friday night Marietta High School football games, 4th of July parades on the square, camping at Vogel State Park, bluegrass music, and his family heritage at the annual Ramsey/Lovinggood reunions in Hanging Dog, North Carolina.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Shirley Gantt Ramsey; daughters Karen Callaway (Bill), Kimberly Downey (Alan), and Kelley Gilreath (David); grandchildren Patrick Downey, Will Callaway, Olivia Callaway, Nelson Gilreath, and Emma Rae Gilreath. In addition, Bill is survived by his sister Grace Ramsey Hampton of Murphy, North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.
Billy Ray Ramsey will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marietta High School Sports Medicine Program, 1171 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, GA 30064, or the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3522 Hanging Dog Rd, Murphy, NC 28906.
Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.
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