Felix W Veal

Billy Veal, age 74 died on Monday January 15, 2018 at the Augusta University Hospital in Augusta Ga after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be at Sandersville United Methodist Church on Thurs. Jan. 18 at 10 AM.

Mr. Veal was a native of Washington County, the son of the late Felix W. Veal, Sr and Dorothy Elkins Veal. He graduated from Washington County High School and attended North Georgia College and graduated from Southern Polytechnic College and the University of Georgia. He served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict.  Afterward he returned to Sandersville and was employed by Thiele Kaolin Company, where he retired as Director of Regulatory Affairs.

Billy Veal will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, and brother. His family and friends were always entertained as he regaled them with stories from his personal travels and experiences, his extensive reading, and wide-ranging knowledge. He was able to find humor in everyday events and, with his warm smile, relate an anecdote or joke to amuse his listeners. Billy was well-known for his love of history and demonstrated this through his preservation of the beautiful Victorian home he shared with his wife Frances, his active involvement in the Washington County Historical Society, and his support of historic preservation. He loved Washington County and welcomed newcomers to the area, opening his home to visitors and friends. He enjoyed sitting in front of his house watching the Kaolin Parade pass by, giving him a unique opportunity to visit with parade-goers and friends.

In his engineering work at Thiele Kaolin Company, Billy was instrumental in overseeing the construction of a spray drier essential for the industry. Billy’s work in environmental compliance at Thiele was a natural career choice for this man who loved nature and was an advocate for environmental protection. After retirement, he championed efforts to protect the natural beauty of the middle Georgia area. This included the stewardship of his family’s land and natural resources.  Billy’s love of history, historic buildings, and nature are evident in the legacy continued by his daughters Rachel and Caroline.

A man of many interests, Billy enjoyed swimming, collecting vintage automobiles, and travel. His favorite travel destination in recent years was to spend time with his family, especially his young grandson, Nico.

A faithful and active member of the Sandersville United Methodist Church and the Asbury Sunday School Class, Billy Veal lived his Christian faith in his relationships, his kindness and love for people, and his work to help those less fortunate. The talent and expertise that he used in maintaining his own home were shared with others as he joined in Sunday School projects for renovating and repairing housing for families in need. While Billy would be the first to say he didn’t want to be on a committee, he would also be the first to volunteer when work needed to be done.

A considerate and soft-spoken gentleman, Billy never held back when truth needed to be spoken, adding his wit and insight on issues that caught his interest. He took the responsibilities of citizenship seriously, being actively involved in the community and its progress.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Cason Veal; his daughter, Rachel Veal, and son-in-law, Paul Mazzei, of Kill Devil Hills, NC; his daughter, Caroline Ross, son-in-law, Eric Ross, and grandson, Nico Green Ross, of Charlottesville, VA; three sisters Carolyn Cummings, Jean Cummings (Carl) both of Warthen, and Anne Weathers (Dudley) of Milledgeville, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends after the service at Heritage Hall. There will be a private family burial to follow at the Long Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Warren County.

Donations can be made to the Brown House Museum, (P.O. Box 6088, Sandersville, Ga 31082), Jimmy V. Foundation (14600 Winston Pky. Cary, N. C. 27513 www.jimmyv.org ) and The United Methodist Council on Relief (UMCOR 458 Ponce de Leon Ave, N. E., Atlanta, Ga 30308 www.umcor.org )