Billy J. Reeves

Mr. Billy James Reeves, 88, of Griffin, passed away January 29, 2014. He was born on February 5, 1925 in Clem, Carroll County, Georgia to James Leonard Reeves and Zelda Earline Driver Reeves. He passed away on January 29, 2014 at the Spalding Regional Hospital. He was the owner of Reeves Cleaners on South Sixth Street. His family moved to Griffin in 1939. He established Reeves Cleaners in 1946. He served on the boards of directors for the Griffin-Spalding County Laundry and Cleaners Association, the Georgia Laundry and Dry Cleaners Association, the International Fabricare Institute, Southeastern Fabricare Association and the Georgia Package Institute. He was named “Retailer of the Year” for the State of Georgia by the National Association of Beverage Retailers. He established the Georgia Laundry and Dry Cleaners Credit Union. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Griffin since 1939. He dedicated his life to serving in his community for over 70 years. His community service included: President of the Spalding County Sportsman’s Club; Man of the Year of the Jaycees; President of the Rotary Club; Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, United Way, the Salvation Army, the Downtown Council, Community Relations Council, and the Chamber of Commerce serving as the Vice President in 1998. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club twice in 1960 – 61 and he served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the National Elks Club in 1964. He carried the Olympic torch as a community hero from Griffin for the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. He organized the VIN Wine Society in Griffin. He was selected as Griffin’s Man of the Year and General Griffin. He served on the boards of the Hawkes Library, the Griffin Auditorium, Small Claims Court, and the University of Georgia Experiment Station Education and Research Garden Friends of the Garden. He served on the Boards for the Community Relations Council, The Griffin-Spalding County Retail Package Association, the National Association of Beverage Retailers, and the Downtown Council. He loved his community and was very involved in making it a better place to live. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 – 1944 and was honorably discharged. He was a member of the American Legion for over 69 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Runyon Lynn Reeves and his daughter, Marilyn Reeves Marshall. He is survived by his son, Billy James Reeves, Jr. of Buckhead. Grandchildren, Chase Marshall of Griffin, Shaina Reeves of Roswell, Jarrett Reeves of Atlanta, a great-grand child Lyric Abutbol, a special friend Barbara Dutton and a dear companion, Eleanor Littleton. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 4:00 pm in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Dr. Bill Hardee will officiate. Entombment will follow in Oak Hill Mausoleum. Friend may visit the family on Saturday from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the funeral home. The family has asked that the General Griffin’s and the Griffin Rotary Club sit in a group at the service. In lieu of flowers contribution may be made to the Salvation Army, 725 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224. The Stephen Pless Detachment 1196 of the Marine Corps League will provide the military honors.

Billy J. Reeves

February 5, 1925 - January 29, 2014