James W. “Billy” Key died December 29, 2020. He was married to the former Charlotte Ann Greene of Winter Park, Florida. He was born in Columbus, Georgia on February 2, 1931. He is the son of the late Jeannette W. Key and Jack B. Key, Sr. and the younger brother of the late Jack B. Key, Jr. Billy attended public schools in Columbus and graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1952. He served four years in the United States Navy; two years active duty and two years in the Naval Reserve Unit in Columbus. Upon completion of his duty in the Navy, he went to work at The First National Bank of Columbus. In 1972, Billy was elected President of First National and later served as President of First South Bankcorp, First National Bank’s Holding Corporation.
Billy was active in local and state affairs having served as President of the Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of the Association for the United States Army, President of the Rotary Club of Columbus, President of Green Island Country Club and President of the Sothern Golf Association. For a number of years he played competitive golf in the amateur ranks, both in the United States and Great Britain. He competed in, and won, a number of tournaments over the years. He was three-time champion of the Georgia State Junior Amateur Golf Tournament, winner of the Southeastern Amateur, winner of the Georgia State Amateur and eight times winner of the Columbus, Georgia City Golf Championship. In 1958, Billy won the Western Amateur Championship and in 1961, he lost in the Finals of the Western Amateur to an Amateur by the name of Jack Nicklaus. Banking and Golf played a major part in Billy’s life. Although she played very little golf herself, Ann was his greatest supporter.
A memorial service for the immediate family will be on Thursday, December 31, 2020 according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, GA, 31906, or to a favorite charity of your choice.
To sign the online guest registry, please visit www.shcolumbus.com.
