Mr. Willie "Billy" Edward Funchess, was born April 17, 1944, in Sumter County.

He was the second of seven children born to the late James Thomas and Thelma Hamilton Funchess Sr.

Billy attended Stone Hill Elementary School and Lincoln High School in Sumter and was a 1964 graduate.

In 1971, he was united in matrimony to Julia Edwards and to that union, three children were born.

In 2010, he was united in matrimony to Cynthia Felicia Branch.
Billy retired from the Armed Services after serving 20 years, spending four years in the U.S. Navy and 16 years in the Army National Guard.

On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, Mr. Willie Edward Funchess departed this earthly life for a home where there will be no more pain and suffering.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a wife, Cynthia Felicia Funchess; four sons, Ronald, Willie, James Funchess of Providence, Rhode Island, and Gregory Funchess of Social Circle, Georgia; three daughters, Shanika Gadson of Covington, Georgia, Shena Reid of Athens, Georgia, and Shaquida Smith of Watkinsville, Georgia; a host of grandchildren; three brothers, the Rev. Dr. Joe, James and John Funchess; three sisters, Julia Evans, Martha Funchess, and Gwendolyn Whatley; two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; two sons-in-law; a mother and father-in-law; eight nephews, four nieces, and a host of relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held at 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday at Job's Mortuary.

Mr. Funchess will be placed in the church at 9 a.m. on Tuesday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Union Station AME Church, 945 S. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Phil Flowers, Officiating.

Interment will follow in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the home of his sister, Julia Evans, 140 Perkins Ave., Sumter.