Mr. Billy Eugene "Gene" James age 58 of Ellijay, GA passed on Friday, May 28, 2021. He was born on September 4, 1962, in Ellijay, GA to his parents, Billy Max and Mary Sue Bennett James. He was a deacon and member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, owner of J & J Heavy Equipment Services, member of Oak Bowery Lodge # 81, Member of the FFA and a firefighter, co-chief of Rescue. Gene is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Sue Bennett James, father-in-law and mother-in-law; Rev. Lowell Boyd and Maureen Woody Grant. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, June 2nd, from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Chastain and Rev. Norman Gibbs officiating. Music provided by Mrs. Janice Bramlett Steelman. Masonic and Firefighter graveside interment will follow in the James Family Cemetery located on Mountaintown Road with Firefighter Honors by the Multi- Jurisdictional Fire Drill Team and Masonic Public Honors by Oak Bowery Masonic Lodge #81 F&AM. George Jones, Jay Parks, Mark Barnes, Michael Bennett, Tim Parks, Shane Grant, Andrew McClure and Kenny McClure will be serving as pallbearers. Gene is survived by his wife, Beverly Grant James, of 40 years of the home in Ellijay, GA, daughters; Mallory James and T. J. McFarland, Ellijay, GA, Miranda and Patrick Newton, Ellijay, GA, grandchildren; Harley Baughman, Joseph Daniel Baughman, Joel Newton, Brayliegh Newton, Liam Newton, sisters; Linda and Kenny McClure, Ellijay, GA, Lisa and Rev. Chris Chastain, Ellijay, GA, Father; Billy Max and Brenda James, Ellijay, GA, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law; Teresa and James Defoor, Ellijay, GA, Pat and Denny Jarrett, Jasper, GA. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Tuesday, June 1st at Logan Funeral Home & Chapel. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mr. James to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 1161 Pleasant Hill Road, Ellijay, GA 30540. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com. Logan Funeral Home & Chapel in charge of arrangements.