The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces funeral services for Mr. Billy Joe Dills, age 65, of Epworth, GA, who passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008 in the Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. He was born in Fannin County on November 23, 1943 and was the son of Ruby Watkins Dills of Blue Ridge, GA and the late Sherman Dills. Mr. Dills was retired after thirty years of service with Fannin County School System as a bus driver and custodian. He was a custodian for Truett-McConnell and Toccoa Falls Colleges in Epworth. Mr. Dills attended Bethany Church and First Baptist Church of Epworth where he was a member of the 8:00 a.m. SonRise Sunday School Class. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Mr. Dills was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Lynn Dills. Survivors include a son, Stacy Ryan Dills of Blue Ridge, GA; daughter, Shawna Renee Hutcheson of Ducktown, TN; brothers, Thurman Lee Dills of Sacremento, CA and Charles Truman Dills of Blue Ridge, GA; grandson, Logan Patrick Hutcheson also survives. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Dickey and Dr. Tom Jordan officiating. Music will be by Back To Bethany and John Dyer. Pallbearers will be Stacy Dills, Harold Dills, Rocky Dills, Jimmy Lynn Dills, Terry Dills and Christopher Dills. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Dean, Joey Buchanan, Roy Crawford, Bobby Dills and Zachary Dills. Interment will follow in the Barnes Chapel Church Cemetery with full military honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. but especially from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to help defray funeral expenses. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfunealhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.