William E. "Billy" Ledbetter

Mr. William E. “Billy” Ledbetter, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away October 15, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born June 23, 1932, in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to Lewis and Elma Lavera Gooden Ledbetter.

Mr. Ledbetter is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Joann Holmes Ledbetter; daughter Cynthia Leigh Hethcox (Craig) of Cumming, GA, their daughters Margaret Hethcox Griffin (Justin) and Mary Megan Hethcox Pearson (Nathan); daughter Susan Ledbetter of Waverly, AL; daughter Lynne Davenport of Montgomery, AL, her son William Kane Davenport (Annamarie), and great grandchildren, RJ Griffin, Jr., Phillip James Griffin, Whitaker Leigh Pearson, Larry Nathan “Bo” Pearson, Mary Elle Pearson, and William Tate Davenport; brother Col. Larry Lewis Linwood Ledbetter, Alexandria, VA, and quite a number of extended family and friends.

Mr. Ledbetter is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Lavera Ledbetter of East Tallassee, AL, sister Alma Sue Ledbetter Kirby, brothers Dr. Jesse Rayburn Ledbetter, and Col. Harold Faye Ledbetter.

Billy graduated from Tallassee High School and after serving in the Alabama National Guard he married his high school sweetheart Mary Joann Holmes in 1953. He then followed his passions becoming father to three daughters, owning Castaway Island Resort for brief period, water skiing, training bird dogs, hunting, fishing, woodworking, graduating from Athens State College, and then he stumbled upon the game of golf. He won several local tournaments and placed first one year in the Alabama Senior Golf Tourney held at Lagoon Park in Montgomery where he had one of many hole-in-one experiences. This Eagle Scout also competed on every RTJ golf course in the state and punctuated that by playing Augusta National following the Master’s Tournament of 2007.

He ended his career with the Teachers Retirement System of Alabama having served much of his time at John Patterson Trade School and JF Ingram where he trained hundreds of loyal students who returned to visit him often. He became active in the First Baptist Church and restored a 1951 Ford Mercury Classic. As a side business, he sat for state licensure exams as a Master Electrician in 8 states for local contractors. Billy could often be found playing golf with his great friends or having lunch at Elmer’s with his wife. He was best known for his nickname and his sweet tooth.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 18 from 10am until service time at 11am in the Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel, Steve Schmitt officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A.C.T.S.