Billie Eugene Graves, Jr.

Billie Eugene Graves, Jr., 68, entered into rest on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. 

Bill was born on September 5, 1955, in Vandalia, Missouri to the late Billie Eugene Graves, Sr. and Lillian Cullom Graves.  He graduated from Van Far Jr Sr High School in 1974. Bill honorably served in both the United States Army and United States Air Force cumulatively for 20 years and retired as a Technical Sergeant. Beginning his military career at Ft. Carson, Colorado, he met the love of his life, Rebecca; they had a whirlwind romance and quickly married. After their discharge from the Army, they stayed in Colorado and started a family. Their first daughter, Jeana, was born, and after selling his Plymouth Road Runner to pay for her birth, Bill went back to see the Army recruiter…lucky for the young family, the Army recruiter was out to lunch. The Air Force recruiter struck a conversation and mentioned to Bill he would not have to redo Basic Training…which sold him, and he started his Air Force career as an Aircraft Environmental Electrician. Throughout his next two assignments, Bill and Becky grew and completed their family with their second daughter, Sarah, and their son, Billie. Technical Sergeant Graves spent his obligatory Korea tour as a member of the Wolf Pack at Kunsan Air Base and was rewarded handsomely with a follow-on tour to Bitburg Air Base, Germany. In, 1995, it was time to return to the United States and the family settled in Warner Robins, Georgia. Technical Sergeant Graves retired from military service in 1998 and continued to raise their children. His military service achievements included the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and a NATO Medal. Following his military service, Bill continued to serve his country for the next 18 years through Civil Service at Robins Air Force. 

Bill was an avid reader, with close to 1,000 books in his personal library. He loved to tinker with electronics, as well as working on cars, this is why his children are good at dodge ball. He rode motorcycles, built computers, and was an expert marksman. Lastly, and most importantly, he loved his grandkids, and any time spent with them making memories was time never wasted. His granddaughter, Bowen, would have daily FaceTime calls with him. 

In addition to his parents, Billie was preceded in death by two brothers Donnie L. Graves and Buddy J. Graves, one sister, Cadena C. Carrico and his loving wife, Rebecca Lin Graves.  

His memory will forever be treasured by his children, Jeana Reichley (Erich) of Waldorf, Maryland, Sarah Britton (Christopher) of Powder Springs, Georgia, and Billie Eugene Graves, III (Jessica Nikitin) of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Beckham Britton, Bowen Britton, and Henry Britton; siblings, Catherine Andell, Sonya Jefferies, Carrie Hurd, Ceba Allen, Brady Graves, Brian Graves, Cheryl Taylor, Calia Fowler, and Celia Graves, along with many other loving family members and friends.  

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the McCullough Funeral Home Farmhouse with a funeral service to immediately follow. 

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family.   McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.