Billy Gray Southern, 77, of Raeford, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, at Raeford Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Kevin Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave., Raeford, and at other times at the home, at 316 W. Palmer St., Raeford.

Mr. Southern was born June 8, 1929, in Surry County to the late George William and Bertha Ann Holyfield Southern. He was a member of the Raeford Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder. He was elected elder emeritus Jan. 7, 2001. He was also past president of the Sam Morris Sunday School Class.

Mr. Southern retired as the Hoke County Supervisor with the Department of Transportation after 40 years of service. He was a member of the Board of Directors with the State Employees Credit Union and Woodmen of the World.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Opal Southern, and a brother, Bobby Southern.

Mr. Southern is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Chappell Southern; his son, Lester Gray Southern of Raeford; his daughter, Yvonne Baker Harrell and her husband, Robert, of Southern Pines; his brother, Frank Southern and his wife, Eunice of Fairview, Mont.; two sisters, Dorothy Southern Stevens of Red Springs, and Mary Southern Holden of Anderson, S.C.; two granddaughters, Mandy Luck and her husband, Jonathan, and Lesley Harrell, all of Pinehurst; his niece, Barbara Johnson of Raeford; and a nephew, Jamie Johnson of Hickory.

Memorials may be made to Billy G. Southern, Scholarship Fund, Raeford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1570, Raeford, NC 28376.