Billy Ray ‘B.R.’ White

Billy Ray “B.R.” White peacefully went to heaven surrounded by his family and friends, Friday, October 1, 2010.

Mr. White graduated in 1950 from Winder-Barrow High School as salutatorian of his class and as a three-year letterman of baseball, football and track. During his high school career in baseball, he pitched several no-hitters. He had a batting average of over .400 and this average was continued through the rest of his career. He not only pitched, but also played shortstop. He also held several records in football and track. He attended Mercer University on a baseball scholarship and was drafted and played for the Atlanta Crackers. He was the first person from Barrow County to be drafted into the professional baseball league.

Following graduation from the University of Georgia in 1955, he was drafted into the Navy and played for the Navy East Coast All Star Baseball team while stationed on board the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Randolph (CV-15), which was deployed to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Following his time in the service, he was invited to spring training and to try out for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.

After his baseball career, he worked for 30 years at Georgia Power as the director of the Land Department. Mr. White was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Rose McDaniel White.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joan Nunnally White; sons and daughters-in-law, Billy Ray White Jr. and Cyndi White, Sandy and Angie White and Landy White; daughter and son-in-law, Candice and Michael Crook; grandchildren, Jesse, Emily, Amber (Jeb), Jenna and his fifth on the way; one great-grandchild, Reihgan Harper and one honorary grandchild, Larae Berry Mason; sister, Gail White Pentecost, niece, Anita Pentecost and nephew, Bucky Pentecost.

Funeral services were held Sunday, October 3, from Smith’s Memory Chapel.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.