William Cotesworth “Billy” Lankford, 85, of Tifton died Monday, October 22, 2007, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at Tifton’s First United Methodist Church. Dr. W. Ches Smith, III, Rev. Glenn Martin and Rev. Chris Shoemaker will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eddie Willis, Eddie Medders, Robbie Wolfe, David Nix, Wheeler Bryan and Wheeler Bryan, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Jensen, Jake Herring, Allison “Buddy” Bowen, Jack Sullivan, Dr. Steve Rigdon, Charles Massey, Roy Jackson, Ed Davis Grady Mathews, Otis Waters, Wright McCartney, Frank Koran, George Lindstedt, Buddy Kulbersh, Bob Reinhardt, Frank Carter, Frank Castagna, John Corry, Frank McGill, Abel Walton, members of the Tifton Investment Club and members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class at Tifton’s First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Lankford was born on January 8, 1922 in Tifton and was the son of Robert Minor Lankford and Olive Bennett Lankford, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one brother, R. H. Lankford, Jr.; one sister, Laura Elizabeth Lankford; and one grandson, W. C. Lankford, III.
After graduation from Tifton High School, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He was commissioned in the United States Army on graduation and served in the European Theatre. His coastal artillery battery was credited with bringing down the first jet-propelled aircraft in theatre. Before retiring, he owned and operated the Lankford Manor. He was an active member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was also a loyal and faithful member of the Ferry Lake Fishing Club.
Mr. Lankford is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Norma Willis Lankford of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, William C. Lankford, Jr. and his wife, Ann, of Atlanta; one daughter, Elizabeth A. Lankford of Atlanta; and two grandchildren, Dr. Angela L. Nix and her husband, David; and Courtney E. Lankford.