Mr. Billy James Champion, age 76 of Ellijay, Georgia died on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at the North Georgia Medical Center in Ellijay, Georgia. Born November 15, 1937 in Ellijay, Georgia, he was the son of the late James Homer Champion and the late Elmina Reece Champion. Mr. Champion was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church and retired as the Owner and Operator of Champion Saw and Pallet Mill in Ellijay. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing with his wife, Thelma, at numerous events. Other than his parents, Mr. Champion is preceded in death by his brother, Leeman Champion and brother-in-law, Frankie Newberry. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Thelma Champion of Ellijay, GA, daughter and son-in-law, Regina and Dennis Todd of Ellijay, GA., grandchildren and spouses, Brian and Amber Nealey of Ellijay, GA, Candace and Gerald Hill of Morganton, GA, great-grandchildren, Addison Nealey, Olivia and Madeline Hill, mother-in-law, Bertha Newberry of Ellijay, GA, brothers and spouses, Junior and Margaret Champion of Shady Dale, GA, Ermel and Lillian Champion, Freeman and Lynn Champion and Mary Alice Champion all of Ellijay, GA, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Danny Newberry of Fairmount, GA, Wilma Green, Tamer Southern, Faye Mansfield, Vicki McClure, Vera Southern and Vernice Newberry all of Ellijay, GA, Several Nieces and Nephews also survive. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday May 9th, 2014 from the Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Hood, Rev. David Nicholson, Rev. Michael Smith and Rev. Larry Waddell officiating. Music and singing will be by the Partin Family, Ronald and Linda Hyde and Sandy Southern, Tammy Nicholson, Amanda Simmons and Vernice Newberry. Graveside Interment will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery with Brian Nealey, Gerald Hill, Ray Paul, Kirk Champion, Colton Parten, Gary Champion and Larry Champion serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Logan Funeral Home, 357 Dalton Street, Ellijay, Georgia. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com