CULLMAN — Gilbert Lee ‘Billy’ Handley Sr.

Gilbert Lee “Billy” Handley Sr., 76, of Cullman, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at his residence with family by his side. Funeral services will be held at  Trinity Lutheran Church Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. The family will receive friends at the church from 5 p.m. until service time at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Gil Handley Memorial fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, 505 Commercial Street Hanceville, AL 35077; or to the American Cancer Society. Gil was born Feb. 23, 1936, to Henry Bluford and Myrtie Jewell Nesmith Handley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Estelle Handley; a sister, Connie Sue Handley Alexander; and his previous wife of 15 years, Frances Anderson Handley.

He is survived by his wife of five-and-a-haf years, Marian Junkins Handley; the mother of his four children, Eleanor Ruth Handley Richardson; their four children, Gilbert Lee (Lori) Handley Jr., Russell Byron (Mary) Handley, Robert Bluford (Kelli) Handley  and Patricia Lynn Handley (Denny) Hicks; three stepchildren, Barbara (Richard) Ray, Terry Charles (Kathy) Junkins and Thomas Christopher (Shauna) Junkins; three brothers, Gerald D. (Kathleen) Handley, Bobby R. (Joan) Handley and Earnest H. (Ruby) Handley; a sister, Betty R. Seymore; six grandchildren, Beth Handley, Rachel Handley, Jessica Handley, Nathan Handley, Erin Handley and Connor Handley; six stepgrandchildren, Scott Junkins, Breanna Junkins Sadie Junkins, Laura Campbell, Richard Campbell and Shauna Ray of New Mexico; two great-grandchildren, Brayden Fox and Emily Howell.  He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Mr. Handley was a 1954 graduate of West Point High school and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired in 2000 after 38 years of service as an auditor for Bridgestone/Firestone. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hanceville.

Gil was a man of few words whose actions alone told the story of who he was; a man built of strength and resilience, a true example of honor and integrity. He believed in the goodness of life, the trust of friendship, and the consistency of love. He lived in harmony with man and nature. He was a source of strength a dreamer and a builder

He was a man for all seasons who believed in the value of hard work and the warmth of love. He knew himself and strived to be the best that he could be. Mr. Handley was truly a gentleman and was loved dearly by family and friends. He will be greatly missed.