Billy Gene Hannon, 72, of 154 Jasper Drive, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital.

Born in Blacksburg, he was the husband of Elizabeth Rippy Hannon and son of Pauline Goforth Hannon and the late Marshall Neal Hannon. He retired from Hoechst Celanese on Feb. 26, 1998, after 30 years of perfect attendance. After retirement he worked as a crossing guard at Gaffney High School and Mary Bramlett Elementary School and as a part-time security officer for Nestlé. In his spare time he enjoyed driving for Roger Shiflett Ford.

Mr. Hannon was a U. S. Army veteran and a member of Park

Hills Baptist Church,

where he formerly

served as a Sunday School director, deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member. He received a Declaration of Appreciation Award on Oct. 13, 1996, for his service to the church.

He loved his wife, Lib, to whom he would have been married for 50 years on Jan. 1, 2009. He loved his children, grandchildren and church family. He was a softball umpire and an avid sports fan, especially the Gaffney Indian football team, Atlanta Braves and golf. He loved the story of Christmas and telling everyone about Christ's love for the world. It's the many gifts of love he gave throughout a busy day that made him a special man in every way. He wanted to spread Christmas Cheer to children and young at heart. He enjoyed saying a jolly "Ho Ho Ho" and Merry Christmas as he danced around and rang a bell dressed in a bright red Santa suit. He loved camping and seeing his family together. He treasured the words and wisdom from God's Word spoken from Billy Graham. Located in his Bible was a brochure by Billy Graham, "Put your trust in him today. Repent of your sins. Receive him as your Savior and let his serenity, his joy, his peace, be yours in the midst of the hard realities of the life which you have to live wherever you are." He was a counselor for the Rick Gage Crusade, which was a very special event in his life.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by a son, Kenny Hannon and wife, Lisa, of Gaffney; two daughters, Janet Painter and husband, Allan, of Gaffney and Mary Kaye Hannon of Boiling Springs, S.C.; two grandchildren, Amy Painter and Melissa Painter; three sisters, Patricia Elmore and husband, Billy, of Gaffney, Shirley Reynolds and husband, Charles, of Blacksburg and Brenda Humphrey and husband, John, of Gaffney.

The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 2, from 9:30-11 a.m. at Park Hills Baptist Church. Services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the church with the Revs. Larry Sanders and James Holder officiating. Interment will be in Frederick Memorial Gardens.