Colonel Billy Gene Edenfield, Usaf (Ret)

Billy Gene Edenfield, 74, entered into rest on Sunday, July 3, 2011.

Mr. Edenfield was born on June 8, 1937 in Metter, Georgia. He graduated in 1959 from the University of Georgia as a distinguished military graduate and was awarded a B. S. degree in Management. In 1978, he earned a M.S. degree in Personnel Management from Troy State University. In the United States Air Force, he completed the Institute of Technology Education with Industry, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces by seminar with the United States Army, and the Air War College in-residence at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

His military career began with an initial assignment in the civil engineering career field. After flight training, he performed crew duties in both B-52 and B-57G aircraft, including 170 combat sorties during the Vietnam War. As a senior officer his positions included Deputy Commander for Maintenance at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Director of Materiel Management of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Commander, RAF Kemble, England; and Commander of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He retired from the Air Force in 1989 at Robins after a 30-year career, holding the rank of Colonel.

In December 1989, Mr. Edenfield was selected by the Department of Technical and Adult Education as Executive Vice President of Middle Georgia Technical College (then an Institute). In July 1990, he was elevated to the position of President. During his tenure as President, diploma enrollment was increased by 400%, the adult literacy program has been added, and economic development training has expanded to new heights. In addition, he has led the effort to plan, construct, equip and occupy a new 163, 000 sq. ft. campus. In July, 2000, under the House Bill 1187, Middle Georgia Technical Institute was renamed Middle Georgia Technical College after receiving accreditation to offer Associate Degree programs.
In July 1998, as directed by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Mr. Edenfield assumed the position of Interim President of Heart of Georgia Technical Institute which had been vacated by a retiring president. During his time, Mr. Edenfield managed the daily operations of Heart of Georgia Tech located in Dublin, Georgia, and their satellite center located in Eastman, Georgia. Mr. Edenfield continued to serve both technical institutes and satellite center for an eleven month period until the president selection was complete for Heart of Georgia. Tech. He later retired as President of Middle Georgia Technical College.

Mr. Edenfield's military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Mr. Edenfield's professional affiliations include the American Vocational Association, Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

Mr. Edenfield has been extensively involved in the Middle Georgia community both as a military Person and a civilian. He serves as a member of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee; past Chairman of the Warner Robins Salvation Army Board of Directors; he also served on the United Way of Central Georgia Board of Trustees; the Board of Directors of the local Red Cross Chapter; and the Central Georgia Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts of America. He is an Ex-Officio member of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Ex-Officio member of the Warner Robins Industry Now Group (WRING) Board of Directors; member of the Chambers of Commerce of Perry, Dooly County, Hawkinsville/Pulaski County, and Peach County; Past President of the Warner Robins Rotary Club; past Vice-Chairman of the Museum of Aviation Foundation; Chairman of the Education Committee, Museum of Aviation Foundation; and past Chairman of the Georgia Youth Science Technology Center at the Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He had served as Chairman of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia Board of Directors; and was a member of the Middle Georgia Workforce Development Council; and the Board of Control for the Regional Education Service Agency (RESA).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Cordie Edenfield. His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife, Ginger Edenfield, West Monroe, Louisiana.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 7, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2011 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home, Dr. Owen Bozeman officiating. Interment will follow in Andersonville National Cemetery on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Museum of Aviation Foundation, P.O. Box 2469, Warner Robins GA 31088 or Middle Georgia Technical College Foundation, 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins GA 31088.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088