Billy "Bill" Joe Cornelius Jr.

Billy “Bill” Cornelius Jr., age 61, of Phenix City, Alabama passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021. A visitation for family and friends for Billy will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907; a graveside celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia.

Bill was born in Greenville, Mississippi on March 3, 1960; the son of Billy Joe “Sonny” Cornelius Sr. and Faye Garland Cornelius. His parents didn’t know, but the Lord knew just how full their hands would be. Between picking on his sisters and attempting to play superman off the side of the porch, he could never sit still, not even for five seconds. Much was the same when he was older, Bill just could not stand to sit still, and he would not let his health stop him. If you knew him, you knew he enjoyed spending time with his family and loved to laugh. He taught people many things, how to be loving, caring, hardworking, and compassionate. Bill never met a stranger.

Bill’s family has been heartbroken watching him struggle with his health over the last few years. His body could fight anymore and he finally succumb to kidney disease and pancreatic cancer, he never stopped fighting. Bill was an amazing, loving, caring and hardworking husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, and friend. He spent his life being self-employed, owning Express Automotive, and moving into different handy man work that we all knew he enjoyed. When he could not be found at the shop, one could find him either at the golf course, the lake, or at home enjoying time with his family.

Billy Joe Cornelius Jr. not only leaves behind his wife Eva Cornelius, his son Billy Joe Cornelius III (Melanie Campbell), his daughters, Brooke Nichole Cornelius (Nickolas Jebeles II), and Allison Bailey Cornelius, his stepdaughter Dominique Gannon (James Gannon), his grandchildren Everett, Beckett, Alexis, Jemma, and James. He also leaves behind his sisters, Lisa Rabon and Sonya Wimmer (Daniel Wimmer), his uncle/brother Mike Garland, along with many loving nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He will be missed by many here in Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Cornelius family.