Billy was born in Macon, Georgia on June 25, 1945 to parents Paul Wesley Knowles and Josephine Mannhheim.
Billy was born and raised in Macon, where he lived until 2000 when he and his wife moved to Jones County. He graduated in 1963 from Willingham High School. One of his early jobs was with A&P Grocery Store where he was the Produce Manager. He served in the Georgia National Guard from 1965 until 1971. He worked with Western Electric before the breakup of the company. Billy then was with Southern Bell; which became Bell South. He retired from Bell South and later worked through various contracting companies for Bell South. He worked in telephone offices, installing and upgrading them, across the nation until the end of 2016. Billy was a member of Eatonton Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Billy married Nell Watson Leslie of Macon in 1975. He was a loving husband and caring father to her two sons – Rick and Lawrence Leslie. His favorite pastime was anything to do with old cars and trucks. He never met a stranger and was always willing to stop and help anyone.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents and oldest brother, John Wesley Knowles of Byron. He is survived by his wife, Nell Watson Knowles, Nell’s sons Rick (Pamela) and Lawrence Leslie. He was proud of Rick’s children, Kevin, Chris, and Kati (Chris), also Pamela’s children, Meghan (Ben), and Trey (Karsen). He was equally proud of his seven great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his brother Jim, his sisters Sarah, Paula Gwathney (Walter) and Mary (Harold).
Services will be held at graveside in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 10, 2022 with Elder Darrell Lewis officiating. The family will greet friends Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Donations in Billy’s memory can be made to Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, Georgia or the Eatonton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Eatonton, Georgia.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono has charge of arrangements.
