Mr. William Benjamin “Billy” Kay Sr., of Sandersville, died peacefully at his home Friday, January 8, 2021. A family only graveside committal service will be held in Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville with the Reverend Dr. Stan Littleton officiating.
Mr. Kay was born in Ben Hill County, Georgia and reared in both Fitzgerald and Moultrie. He was the son of the late James Wallace Kay and the late Mary McClain Kay. Billy moved to Tennille to live with his aunt and uncle, Thomas Lamar Brantley and Willie Maude “Aunt Bill” McClain Brantley, while attending Georgia Military Preparatory School in Milledgeville from which he graduated. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home, Billy went to work with his uncle Lamar at Standard Oil. He later acquired, owned, and operated it as Kay Oil Company until his retirement in 1994. He was a long time and active member of the Sandersville United Methodist Church where he led the bass section of the adult choir for over 50 years. Billy possessed a lifelong love of music, and in addition to his church choir, could often be heard singing with the Bell-Kay Quartet or be seen enjoying a regular Sandersville Music event. He was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan and a member of the Men’s Coleman’s Lake Fish Club. Billy never met a stranger and was known as a “prefect southern gentleman,” who was loved by many. He is predeceased by his sisters, Carolyn Kay McCall and her husband John, Martha Kay Thomas and her husband Madison, and Mary Frances Kay Tyson and her husband Lent.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Grace Averett Kay, children, Adrienne Kay Smith and her husband Phil, William Benjamin “Ben” Kay Jr. and his wife Charlene and Thomas McKinney Kay all of Sandersville; and grandchildren, Daniel Thomas Kay, Natalie Kay Smith, Erica Nell Kay, Benjamin Davis Kay and Sophie Grace Kay.
Donations may be made to the Sandersville Untied Methodist Church Angel Fund, P.O. Box 611, Sandersville, Georgia 31082 in memory of Billy Kay.
The Kay family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Pruitt Hospice for their unwavering care and concern.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.