Billy Elbert “Goose” Connell, 69, of Tifton passed away, Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2016, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with Rev. Earl Perry officiating. Goose will be laid to rest at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Holloway, Paul Goodman, Mike Purvis, Charles Carper, Jerry Hill, Michael Watson, Roy Watson and John Perry.
Born July 21, 1946 in Tifton, Goose was the son of the late Gay A. Harbin and Gladys Louise Hammond Harbin. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Powers; and four brothers, Wayne Pafford, Butch Harbin, Johnny Harbin and Ray Harbin. He was a painter and retired as a maintenance technician from the Coastal Plains Experiment Station. He loved riding motorcycles and all his friends at Crossroad Choppers and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was also a veteran of the United States Navy.
Goose is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jason and Holly Connell of Forsyth, Justin and Faith Connell of Tifton and Billy Connell, Jr. of Kentucky; two daughters, Tammy Minor and Vicki Cerv, both of Bremerton, Washington; a sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Butch Kirkland of Panama City, Florida; and two grandchildren, Kristen and Jac Connell.