BILLY CLYETTE ARD

Billy Clyette Ard, age 83, died peacefully on Monday evening, December 11, 2017. He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, and other family members. Billy was born on August 16, 1934 at the family home in Iron City, Georgia. He spent his early years growing up there with his two older sisters while his four older brothers served in World War II. He also had a younger half-sister and half-brother after his mother passed away and his father remarried. Following in his older brothers’ footsteps, Billy also joined the military enlisting in the Air Force in 1953. While stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, he met his future wife, Phyllis Love, who was serving as a nurse in the Air Force. They married on May 12, 1958 and had two children while in Biloxi. Billy went on to serve in the Air Force for over 25 years, 15 as an enlistee and 10 as an officer). During the course of his career, he was stationed in West Germany, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Nebraska, and North Dakota. He graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1968. While in Texas, he attended Officers Training School and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. During his military years, Billy served primarily as a Personnel Officer and ended his career as a Missile Silo Commander in Minot, North Dakota. He retired from the Air Force as a captain on October 31, 1978. Billy returned to his home state of Georgia and began a new career with the Department of Labor in the Atlanta area. He worked there for 17 years (1979-1996) before retiring for good at the age of 62. During retirement he loved to fish, tour Civil War battlefields, and work in his yard in Tucker, Georgia. A lover of history and his home state, he visited each of the court houses in Georgia's 159 counties. Billy was preceded in death by his parents Walter Clinton Ard and Ruby Alligood Ard, his step-mother Helen Penuel Ard, brothers, Clarence, Edward, George and Harry Ard and sister Geneva Ard McLeod. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Phyllis Love Ard, son Clint Ard (wife Valerie) of Clarkston, GA, daughter Lee Ard Walker (husband Steve) of Brookhaven, GA and beloved grandchildren Daniel Ard of Norcross, GA and Jessica Ard of Stone Mountain, GA, sister Betty Ard Smith of Dalton, GA, half-sister Nettie Doris Ard Hickey and half-brother Joseph Ard (both of Florida); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. The family extends their thanks to VITAS Healthcare for their excellent service during Billy's final days. The family will have visitation at the Bill Head Funeral Home in Tucker, Georgia on Thursday, December 14, 2017 between 6:00 – 8:00 PM. A second family visitation will take place at the Iron City Baptist Church in Iron City, Georgia on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 12:30 PM. The celebration of life service will begin at 2:00 PM in the church. This will be followed by a graveside service at Corinth Cemetery.