Dr. Billie C. Russo, Sr., 80, of Dawsonville passed away Saturday April 2, 2016 at his residence following a period of declining health. Born March 24, 1936, Dr. Russo had been a resident of Dawsonville and Lumpkin County for over 10 years coming from Pensacola, Florida. A U.S. Air Force veteran who served over 9 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’s Pastor at Kilough Church By the Lake where he was also a member. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marciano and Katheleen Russo. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Mary Russo, Dawsonville; children, Tony Russo, Atlanta, Andy Russo, Billie Russo, Jr., Albie and Shanta Russo, all of Winston, GA, Daniel and Chrissy Arthur, Havelock, NC, Shannon and Matt Bolin, Clarksville, TN; grandchildren, Danita, Warren, Nikki, Winston, Anna, Chloe, Dylan, Marina, Rebekah, Hadassah, Kaedyn, Madyson, Ryan; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Jacob, Danek, Bella; a number of other relatives. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Jeff Burrell will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12 noon until the service hour. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. www.cff.org Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.