Billy Joe Monkus

Billy Joe Monkus, age 75, of Dawsonville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Billy was born on April 19, 1950, in Blue Ridge, Georgia, to Ted Monkus and Mattleen Holbrooks Smith. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church and had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. Known by his friends as B.J., he retired as an equipment technician and welder for Stork Gamco, now Marel Stork Poultry Processing, in 2012. Over the past 13 years, Billy enjoyed a well-earned retirement which he spent with his family, especially cherishing his role as “Papa” and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchild grow up.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Jonna Monkus; daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Cameron Burt; grandchildren, Seth and Becca Stowers, Brandon Monkus, Chris and Brianna Hamby, Ethan Burt, Prestan Burt, Andrew Monkus, and Heather Burt; and great-grandchildren, Slaton Stowers (age 4) and Arden Hamby (due in October) all of Dawsonville. He was also survived by his siblings Barbara (Jerry) Dotson of Ellijay, Roy Monkus of Dawsonville, Deborah (Alan) Foster of Ellijay, Freida Casper of Blue Ridge, and Mike Monkus of Ellijay. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Mattleen, and his sister, Carol Crumbley.

A funeral service will be held at Harmony Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Tony Holtzclaw and Rev. Russell Burt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 29, from 4:00–8:00 PM, and again on Wednesday before the funeral from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harmony Baptist Church, c/o Andi Juliette, 1575 Harmony Church Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.