James Lee “Bud” Handley, Sr., 76, of Tifton passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2025, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Joseph L. Crumley officiating. Mr. Handley will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Chris Gay, Hank Handley, Devin Tapp, Vince Tapp, Joey Handley and Mike Sumner will serve as pallbearers.
Born January 11, 1949, in Irwin County, Mr. Handley was the son of the late Archie Lee Handley and Mozell Nean Dillard Handley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Nell Johnson Handley. He retired from the City of Tifton; and he was a member of Believers Baptist Church in Tifton.
Mr. Handley loved his dogs and enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors.
Mr. Handley is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, James Lee Handley, Jr. of Tifton and Tommy Joel “Joey” and Carla Handley of Lakeland; one daughter, Jennifer Rose Handley of Tifton; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Linda and Jerry Gay and Alma Wetherington, all of Tifton; and six grandchildren, Joy Young, Jaci McIntosh, Brianna Bostick, Hank Handley, Hunter Bostick and Jessica Handley.