![]() Royal and South roomed together for a time, and two or three years later South contacted him with a song he wanted Royal to sing as a demo, in the hope that Gene Pitney would record it. In 1962, he recorded an independent single that went unnoticed. Performing at a nightclub that also booked Sam Cooke and other African-American stars, Royal observed their vocal moves and began to practice them on his own time. He also spent time in Savannah, where he was influenced by African-American vocal styles and began to develop his distinctive vocal sound. Royal had his own rock & roll band in high school and was regularly singing around Atlanta by the age of 16. He learned to play steel guitar and joined the Georgia Jubilee in Atlanta at 14, performing with Joe South, Jerry Reed, and Ray Stevens, among several other artists. Royal was born into a family of musical entertainers in Valdosta, Georgia, and made his debut on his uncle's radio show at the age of 11. Although he never had another hit as successful as "Down in the Boondocks," he racked up about 15 singles that hit the country charts over the course of the 1980s. ![]() Online condolences at Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, WV.Best known for his country-flavored rock hit "Down in the Boondocks," Billy Joe Royal had a long career that saw him become one of the first pop performers to successfully revive his commercial fortunes by turning to straight country music. ![]() In lieu of flowers, at Billy Joe's request, memorial contributions may be made to James Chapel Methodist Church Building Fund, HC 78, Box 13, Hinton, WV 25951. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, C.W. Members of the Hinton Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rites will follow in Restwood Memorial Gardens in Hinton. Thursday, August 10, 2017, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton, with Rev. He also was a lifelong farmer as long as his health permitted and was a member of James Chapel Methodist Church at True.įuneral services will be held at 1 p.m. His fraternal endeavors included being a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter of Masons, Knights Commandery of Masons, Beni-Kedem Masonic Shrine and the Athens Chapter No. Billy Joe was a former Summers County Commissioner and a member of the Retired School Employees, the retired Veteran Railway Employees and the Hinton Kiwanis Club. He served on the boards of the Region One Planning and Development Council and the Council on Aging, Summers County Farm Bureau and the New River Area Farm Service Agency, as well as treasurer of the Summers County Historical Society. He was involved and active in many civic duties in Summers and surrounding counties. ![]() He retired as Yardmaster from CSX Transportation Corporation in Hinton and also retired from teaching from the Summers County Board of Education. Billy Joe Edwards of True, left his earthly home for his heavenly home on Augat the age of 89.īilly Joe was born at True, WV, on January 7, 1928, a son of the late Edd and Bertha McGraw Edwards.īesides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ilene Cleo Epperly Edwards brothers, Ethiel and Bee Edwards sister, Mary Sue Hopkins sons-in-law, Gary Sheneman and Wallace McGraw.īilly Joe is survived by his wife, Geraldine Houchins Edwards daughters, Joan Sheneman, Shirley Conner and Bobbie McGraw grandchildren, Michelle Bowling, Shawn Conner, Rick Sheneman, Scott McGraw, Joel McGraw and Renae Willis thirteen great grandchildren also survive, along with several nieces and nephews.īilly Joe was a graduate of Hinton High School and Concord College.
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