MR. BILLY RAY AMERSON, age 85, of Chester, GA, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Etowah Landing Nursing Home in Rome, GA.
MR. BILLY RAY AMERSON, age 85, of Chester, GA, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Etowah Landing Nursing Home in Rome, GA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Ricky Gilmore officiating.
Billy Ray was born in Chester, GA on November 26, 1939, to the late Reverend William L. “Bill” Amerson and Lucille Long Amerson. A 1957 graduate of Chester High School he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving at the request of the president to Okinawa, Japan. After his tour de force, he returned home to Dodge County where most will remember him supporting his father and brother in their Chester farm “Country Squire Farms” or leading music ministry at Zion Hope Baptist Church in Chauncey or possibly the Dublin, GA Airport where his advocation of flying and building airplanes became a LOVE. Billy Amerson, the pilot, enjoyed traveling and flying with friends. “Flying to pick us up for the summer,” Kim and Steve recall memories of their father. Our loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend you showed us how to love. Along with his parents, Billy Ray was preceded in death by his brother, Emory Lane Amerson and sister-in-law, Patsy Amerson.
He is survived by a Daughter – Kim O’Quinn of Chatsworth, GA; Son – Steve Amerson of Atlanta; Granddaughters – Brittany Hicks (Jordan) of Ooltewah, TN and Brooke Mitchell (Jesse) of Soddy Daisy, TN; Great-Grandchildren – Levi Mitchell, Hadley Mitchell, Mason Mitchell, and Everett Hicks; Brother – Carroll Amerson (Barbara) of Chester; Nieces and Nephew – Crystal Little (Shawn), Shane Amerson (Danielle), and Eden Amerson, and his Best Girl – Lois Cauley of Dexter and Many Cousins and Friends.
The family will receive friends in Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church from 1:30PM-2:00PM before services on Wednesday, August 27. In addition to flowers, the family requests contributions to Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church, 5025 Chester Hwy, Chester, GA 31012.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.