JEFFERSON – Billy Nathaniel Elder, 81, former longtime Jackson County Clerk of Superior Court, died Monday, February 8, 2010.
Born in Jackson County on June 19, 1928, he was the son of the late John Billups and Fannie Lee Whitehead Elder. Mr. Elder was preceded in death by siblings, Rachel E. Patrick, Winfred “Dean” Elder and wife Grace of Cocoa Beach, Fla.
He graduated from Martin Institute High School in 1945 and attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega for one year. He was a United States Army Veteran having served from 1946 to 1948. He spent one and one half years in Japan in the Medical Corp and received an honorable discharge in 1948.
He was a graduate of the University of Georgia, receiving a bachelor’s of business administration in marketing. He was a First Baptist Church Deacon, member of Galilee Christian Church since 1978, a charter and life member of the Jefferson Lions Club, a member of VFW and American Legion and was a past little league baseball coach. Mr. Elder served as the Jackson County Clerk of Superior Court from 1953-1991 and was a member and past president of the Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Association.
Survivors include his wife, Ada Ellen Hardy Elder, Jefferson; sons, Billy N. Elder Jr., Gainesville, John Charles Elder and Bert Hardy Elder, both of Jefferson, and Joseph Merritt Elder (Julie), Conyers; brothers, Mack Edward Elder (Valerie), Athens, Jerry Lamar Elder (Sue), Cartersville; grandchildren, Lisa Katherine Elder, Emily Ellen Elder, Daniel Brady Elder, Joshua Benjamin Elder, Joanna Marie Elder, Rachel Lynn Elder and Caleb Michael Elder.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 11, at 11 a.m., from the Galilee Christian Church with Minister Tom Plank officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Tim Elder, David Elder, Jason Elder, Evan Elder, Daniel Elder and Joshua Elder.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Galilee Christian Church Building Fund, 2191 Galilee Church Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
