Billy Gene Gadd passed March 22, 2023 in Ocala, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jean Folks Gadd. Other survivors include his son, Chris Gadd (Phyllis) of Tallahassee and his daughter, Sheri Hughes (James) of Ocala; Grandchildren, Kristen Prickett (Cannon), Caroline Gadd, Patrick Hughes, Hunter Gadd (Jennifer), Andrew Hughes and 8 great-grandchildren. Sister-in-law JoAnn Gadd, brother-in-law James H. Folks (Sue).
He is preceded in death by his mother Lydia Gadd, Father, Aaron Gadd Sr., brothers Aaron Gadd Jr. and Thomas Gadd.
Mr. Gadd was born on October 18, 1932, to Lydia and Aaron Gadd Sr. in Tuscumbia, Alabama. At the age of 2, his mother passed away from childbirth. His father, unable to care for 5 children on his own, sent the three boys to live with his sister in Ocala, Fl. Billy attended school here in Ocala where he met the love of his life, Betty Jean Folks. At 18, and about to be drafted, he enlisted into the United States Air Force where he was deployed to the Territory of Alaska. After his years of Service, he returned to Ocala to marry Betty Jean on July 1, 1956. After they married, they attended college at Florida State University where they took care of Mrs. Doak Campbell and lived on the President’s grounds. After the birth of their son Chris, they returned to Ocala. Later, Billy began Sales work for Consolidated Metals and Schott Industries, where he gained his knowledge of the mobile home industry, Aluminum building products, and how to take aluminum coil into a finished product. A few years later, Billy opened his own building products company in Ocala, Consolidated Metals of Florida. After the sale of his company in 1986, he built an Industrial Park that still stands today.
Billy also was the Chairman of the Board of the Independent National Bank. Billy was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon, he also was a founding member of the Downtown Baptist Church. Billy was a Shriner, Mason, Member of the Ocala Elks Club, The Bonita Club, and a proud FSU booster.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd with Dr. Ed Johnson officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services. A burial will follow at Highland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital.