Billy Joe Berry, Jr.

Billy Joe Berry, Jr., age 64 of Gainesville, GA, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at his residence after fighting a six month battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, April 17 at Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden. Mr. Berry was born August 17, 1946 in Andrews, Texas to Billy Joe Berry, Sr. and Janette Smith Berry. He attended the University of Texas, and graduated with an Industrial Engineering Degree. Bill was a decorated US Army Vietnam War Veteran, whose medals included three Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and the Silver Medal of Honor. He was a ranger, paratrooper in the 101st Airborne. He attended OCS training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and rose to the rank of Captain. In civilian life he was a humanitarian. He hosted less fortunate families during the holidays and gave to numerous charities. Bill was employed with Miller Brewing Company in a supervisory position for 16 years in Texas and Eden, NC. He was also the plant manager for the Latrobe Brewing Company before becoming Director of Operations for Shasta Beverage Company (National Beverage) from 1999 to the present. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Billy Joe Berry, Sr. Mr. Berry is survived by his mother, Janette Berry of Texas; his wife, Julia Booth Berry of Gainesville, GA, who is the daughter of Carl and Jean Booth of Eden, NC; his three daughters, Dawn Berry of McMinnville, Oregon, Ann Kaplan and husband, Dan of Mill Valley, California and Amanda Berry of Gainesville, GA; grandchildren, Madison Rae Kaplan and soon-to-be-born, Harper Josephine Kaplan, due on April 23rd. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (2 - 3 pm) at Fair Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Network, 2141 Roscerans Avenue, Suite 700, El Segundo, CA 90245 or Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com