Dr. Billie C. Russo, Sr., 80, of Dawsonville, died April 2, 2016.

Born March 24, 1936, Dr. Russo had been a resident of Dawsonville and Lumpkin County for more than 10 years coming from Pensacola, Fla.

A United States Air Force veteran who served more than nine years, he was a licensed minister and earned a doctorate in Theology from the International Seminary in Florida.

He served as pastor for many churches throughout Georgia and as a chaplain for the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and numerous other agencies through the years. He most recently served as the Senior Pastor at Kilough Church by the Lake, where he was also a member.

His parents, Marciano and Katheleen Russo, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Mary Russo of Dawsonville; children, Tony Russo of Atlanta, Andy Russo, Billie Russo Jr., Albie and Shanta Russo, all of Winston, Daniel and Chrissy Arthur of Havelock, N.C., Shannon and Matt Bolin of Clarksville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Danita, Warren, Nikki, Winston, Anna, Chloe, Dylan, Marina, Rebekah, Hadassah, Kaedyn, Madyson, Ryan; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Jacob, Danek, Bella; various other relatives also survive.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. April 9 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Dr. Jeff Burrell officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from noon until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville is in charge of the arrangements.