William E. "Billie" Clanton, 78, of Odum, Ga. died Friday, November 27, 2020.  Born November 30, 1941, he was raised in Wayne County and grew up on a farm picking tobacco and harvesting turpentine. Early on, Billie's entrepreneurial spirit took root, as he managed a successful fruit stand, grocery store, pecan stand, and tractor supply and service station. The 1961 Jesup High School graduate married Nell Waters from Blackshear on April 9, 1965. As the youngest dealer at that time, the entrepreneur owned and operated the Chrysler/Dodge Dealership beginning in 1965 and served as vice president of Southeastern Chrysler and Dodge Advertising board for 30-years. Billie was often heard saying that Wayne County was the best place on Earth to raise children. He always gave back to his community, as was evidenced by his involvement in the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce (President, 1972), Jaycee of the Year (early 1970), Chairman of the Jesup Centennial Board (1970), member and chairman of the Liars Club for more than 50-years, and member of Jesup Elks Lodge for more than 50-years.  Billie was a 12-year host for "Day for Wayne", and he also served as a Mason, Shriner, a past Rotarian and Kiwanis Club member.  He is also in the Wayne County Hall of Fame as a Jesup High School football team member of the 1959-60 state champions. Owner and operator of Clanton River Ranch, Billie grew purebred Simmental, Angus Cattle and he also ventured into artificial breeding. He has been owner of Car Quest Parts Store, now known as Al's Auto Parts since 1981. Wayne County is dedicating the new Highway 169 Overpass to Billie Clanton's name, slated in the next few months. His parents, W.E. "Dub" and Minnie Alene Strickland Clanton preceded him in death along with a sister, Raye Jean Clanton Boyette.

Survivors are his wife of 55 years, Nell Waters Clanton of Odum; 5 daughters, Janet (Eddie) Hollingsworth, Sonya (Pat) Jones, Karla Eubanks(James Nordone), all of Odum, Rindy(Ralph) Trapnell of Jesup and Shanda (Gary) Herndon of Odum; special nephew, Chip (Karen) Graham; 16 grandchildren, Billy Hollingsworth, Melanie Harris, Karri Youngblood, Tessa Watford, P.J. Jones, Cora Jones, Mattie Anderson, Dub Jones, Ally and Maybrie Eubanks, Dawson, Logan, Jack and Clanton Trapnell, Waters and Metts Herndon; 7 great grandchildren, Paisley, Briggs, Kennedy, Houston, Cali, Cami, Alakai and two on the way; a sister, Dora Clanton Sharpe; a half-sister, Diane (Gerald) Copeland; several nephews, Jamie and Lance (Sheree) Wood, Daniel Copeland.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday, November 30, 2020 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Calvin Anderson, Rev. Stanley Todd and Rev. Dwayne Harper officiating. Interment will follow in the Clanton Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Billy Hollingsworth, P.J. and Dub Jones, Dawson, Jack, Clanton Trapnell, Trey Graham, Jamie and Lance Wood and Alan Boyette. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Liar's Club.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 PM Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.