Funeral services for Billy Gene Drake, 79, of Donalsonville, Ga., were held Friday, Dec. 18, at Friendship United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kirk Loyless officiating.

Interment followed at Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville with Joe Drake, John Drake, Greg Drake, Dr. Charles Walker, Jack Owen and Kyle McLeod serving as active pallbearers.

Born in the Fairchild area of Seminole County on Nov. 20, 1930, Mr. Drake died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala.

Mr. Drake graduated from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force between 1951 and 1955. He was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, Men’s Bible Class; a member of the Donalsonville Lion Club, where he was named Lion of the Year, and was a member of the Donalsonville Country Club and Boat Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John Lee Drake Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years Marie Drake; a daughter, Jane Gordon of Donalsonville; two sons, Billy Gene “Gene” Drake Jr. and James Lee “Jimmy” Drake of Donalsonville; a brother, Wallace Drake of Donalsonville; a sister, Doris Owen of Donalsonville; a sister-in-law and five grandchildren.

Evans-Skipper Funeral Home in Donalsonville is in charge of the arrangements.