Mr. Billy Joe Griffin, age 87, of Juniper Creek Drive in Brewton, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 after a brief illness.
Mr. Griffin was a native of Fort Payne, Alabama and a former resident of Bay Minette before moving to Brewton in 1962. He served as the administrator for D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital from 1962 until he retired in 1994.
Mr. Griffin was a retired colonel in the United States Army, served in the Army Reserve, and in the Alabama National Guard as well. During his time of military service, he was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal.
He was a 1949 graduate of Baldwin County High School, and was later inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He served on the board of the Brewton City School System for a number of years.
He was a longtime member of the Brewton Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was voted Brewton "Citizen of the Year" in 1978. Honored with the Gold Medal of Excellence by the Alabama Hospital Association, served on the board of trustees of Southern Normal High School, a Baptist Health Care board member, and a board member of Trustmark Bank (formerly First National Bank).
Mr. Griffin loved Alabama "Crimson Tide" football, enjoyed woodworking, even taking classes at the local Vo-Tech in Evergreen.
He was a "scratch golfer" and thoroughly enjoyed "games of chance" with his friends.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brewton.
Survivors are his son, Chris (Robin) Griffin of Brewton; three daughters, Gwenda (Steve) Faulk of Brewton, Karen (Mark) Eastman of Austin, Texas, Sondra (Jimmy) Wacker of Mobile; two stepsons, Butch (Diane) Stokes of Fairhope, Joe (Donna Kay) McCurdy of Jay, Florida; eight grandchildren, Tim Faulk, Joseph Faulk, Kaitlyn Jones, Christopher Griffin, Zachary Griffin, Emily Eastman, Griffin Wacker, Dylan Wacker; step-grandchildren, Heath Stokes, Laura Bird, Madison McCurdy; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Griffin, Zane McRee; step-great-grandchild, Ava Grace Bird.
Preceded in death by his parents, Zollie Bruce and Inez Cullpepper Griffin; wife, Gwendolyn Watts Griffin; wife, Josephine "Jo" Griffin; two brothers, Leon Griffin, Denver Griffin; sisters, Imogene Miller, Iona Quinley, Ginger Merrill.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 from 1 until 3 p.m. service time at First Baptist Church of Brewton.
Funeral services for Mr. Billy Joe Griffin will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Brewton, with Bro. John Finklea officiating.
Interment, with military honors, will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery in Bay Minette, Alabama at 5:30 p.m., with Bro. Jack Fitts officiating.
Active pallbearers are Christopher Griffin, Zac Griffin, Joseph Faulk, Griffin Wacker, David Stokes, Randell Little, Pat Poole, Joey Turner.
Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Petro, George Aust, Billy Whittle, Joe Terrell, Phillip Parker, John Downing, John Bagwell, James Walker, Winston Rushing, Ted Jennings, Floyd Grice, Bobby Bardwell, Jim Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to D.W. McMillan Health Care Foundation c/o D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 908, Brewton, AL 36427.
