Billy Kemp Stewart, Sr

Billy Kemp Stewart, Sr., 77, of 5304 Doles Rd., Albany, GA, passed away at his residence Saturday, April 28, 2012, following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Olive Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Iron City, GA.

Mr. Stewart was born October 11, 1934 in Vindex, Maryland to William Albert and Opal Tasker Stewart. He was educated in the Garrett County School System, after which he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, after then he went to Korea and mainland Japan. He spent many years at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina where in 1964 he broke the range record for rifles with a 242 out of a possible 250. For his efforts he was named Leatherneck of the Quarter for which he received a cash award and a M-70 rifle. He was an Engineer by Military Occupation Specialty and operated all types of heavy equipment.

In 1967 he was sent to Viet Nam. He cleared roads by sweeping for mines, graded for runways being built and excavated reservoirs. He helped construct a Viet Nam village at MCB, Quantico upon his return. He earned a Navy Commendation with Combat V to add to his other medals. He also was on active duty at Marine Base Quantico, Okinawa, Marine Corps Supply Activity, Philadelphia, and in 1974 retired from Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1975 he began work as a Civilian Marine and relocated to Marine Corps Base, Albany where he retired again in 1989.

Mr. Stewart was a member of VFW Post #2785 where he served as Commander 1983-84. In the position he helped the post to become an All-American Post for the first time which caused him to receive a personal award as an All-State and All-American Post Commander. He is also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose #1285; Disabled American Veterans #27; BPO # 2481; American Legion Post #71; East Albany Chapter AARP; the Marine Corps Engineer Association; Third Marine Division and the Marine Corps League #1260. Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Cheryl Lynn Stewart, his brother, Franklin Albert Stewart and his sister Sandra Darlene Stewart.

He is survived by his wife, Cherry Parker Stewart, Albany, GA, a daughter , Sandra Hancock and her husband, Wayne, Albany, GA, a son, Billy Kemp Stewart, Jr., Anderson, IN, two step-sons, Joe Miller and his wife, Gwen, Albany, GA, and Chuck Miller and his wife Polly, Iron City, GA, a sister, Kathy Savage and her husband George, Huntingtown, MD, a brother James Stewart and his wife Sandy, a stepmother, Kathern Stewart, all of Oakland MD., his grandchildren Wayne Hancock, Jr., Albany, GA, Danny Hancock and his wife Kerri, Sylvester, GA, Ericka Adams and her husband Nick, Joey Miller and his wife Jessica all of Donalsonville, GA, Amber Miller, Tampa, FL, Jason Miller, Albany, GA, Stacy Hodges and her husband Kris, Yokoda Air Force Base, Japan, his great-grandchildren, Riley Hancock, Isabelle Hancock, Brodey Hancock, AnnaBelle Adams, Beau Adams, Kabe Hodges Miller, Maggie McCall Miller and the mother of his children, Elizabeth Marie Stewart, Albany, GA.

The family will receive friends Tuesday May 1, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home.