Billy Joe Buckhaults

On the evening of September 21, Billy Joe Buckhaults was greeted with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as he completed his journey in this realm and was welcomed into the next. A loving father and loyal husband, he and his wife Kathern celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past May.

Bill was born in Ellisville, Mississippi, to parents William Pinkney Buckhaults and Annie Prince Buckhaults. He voluntarily served his country as a U.S. Army Medic in the Korean War, and he served his community as both a Shriner and Master Mason, Ellisville Masonic Lodge of which he served almost 70 years. He was a founding member of and volunteer at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Homerville, Georgia. Bill also built and repaired computers for children in his town, and he served as mentor and friend to a network of people he encountered wherever he lived. Many will remember him for his storytelling, his sense of humor, and for being a trickster. All will remember an extraordinarily kind man who lived a long and full life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Melbourne Buckhaults and sister Malvaleen Buckhaults Dobbins. He is survived by his wife Kathern, three children – Lemuel Bounds, Cathy Buckhaults Leslie, and Phillip Buckhaults (Cyndy Johnston Buckhaults); seven grandchildren – Heather Bounds Morris (Rob Morris) and Holly Bounds Jackson (Brian Jackson), Eric Leslie (Heather Sigler Leslie) and Amanda Leslie Ethredge (Kelly Ethredge), and Caitlin Buckhaults, Caila Buckhaults and Catarina Buckhaults; seven great-grandchildren – Caleb Morris, Grace Morris, Sofie Beth Jackson, Gloria Jackson, Penny Jackson, Ruby Lee Jackson, and Tabitha Leslie; and by one nephew, James Michael Buckhaults (Debbie Duffy Buckhaults).

Rest in peace.

Billy Joe Buckhaults October 14, 1935-September 21, 2026

Until we meet again.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Homerville, Georgia, on Saturday, October 3, at 4 p.m., officiated by their pastor Rev. Austin Deloach. Visitation will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Cornerstone.