Friday, July 3, 2009 11:11 pm

GRIFFIN, Ga. - Billy Bennett O’Neal, 74, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Christian Ministries Hospice. Funeral service was Wednesday, July 1, at Carver Road Baptist Church, Griffin, Ga. The Rev. Jack O’Neal and the Rev. Tom Summers officiated.

He was born in Youngsville to the late Edward Coy O’Neal and the late Evie Smith O’Neal. He served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and retired from the FAA.

He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Janet Crawford; sisters, Mae Nora O’Neal Duke, Neicy O’Neal Chaplin and Virginia O’Neal; and one granddaughter.

Surviving: his wife, Ruby Kirby O’Neal; children, Lem and Mary Ann O’Neal of Savannah, Ga., Ben and Sharon O’Neal of Tucson, Ariz.; stepchildren, Kathy Ethridge of Griffin, Ga., Judy Rios of Griffin, Ga., Russell and Eve Thomas of Fayetteville, Ga., Ronnie and Cristine Thomas of Griffin, Ga.; brothers, Edward O’Neal of Miami, Fla., Carl O’Neal and Jack O’Neal, both of Youngsville; sister, Bobbie Harrison of Franklinton; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carver Road Baptist Church, Building Fund, 334 Carver Road, Griffin, GA 30224 or to the Five Loaves, Two Fish Food Pantry, 215 East Slaton Avenue, Griffin, GA 30224 in memory of Mr. O’Neal.

Arrangements handled by Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, Griffin.

www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com