Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hardy-Towns Funeral Home on Jan. 10, 2026.
Mr. Billy Lamar Joiner, age 89, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Graton Helms and Rev. Joey Bohannon officiating. Interment will follow at Benevolence Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
Billy spent his professional career as a civil service specialist in computer programming at Warner Robins Air Force Base, where he was known for his intelligence and took great pride in his work during a time of rapid advancement in computer technology. His skill and dedication supported the mission of the base, and his work was a source of lifelong pride. After suffering a serious head injury in February of 1979, he retired on disability, bringing an honorable chapter of public service to a close.
Following his retirement, Billy turned his talents to deer processing, operating Joiner's Deer Processing, where he applied the same precision and high standards he brought to every part of his life. Raised in a farming family and taught by his father to properly butcher hogs and cows, he was meticulous in his work. He became well known in the community, with many people trusting him to process their deer.
He was also a gifted woodworker, building numerous handcrafted items for family and friends. One of his most admired pieces was a finely made gun cabinet built for his nephew. But no project was as special as the dining table he built for his own house, where his family enjoyed decades of meals, games, and countless laughs together.
An accomplished and passionate fisherman, Billy especially loved ocean fishing for speckled trout and often traveled to Perry, Florida, where he fished hard and with purpose.
Billy served for many years on the Ocmulgee EMC Board of Directors, where he was known for looking out for customers and working to keep costs down. He strongly supported expanding internet service to rural areas, believing that students deserved equal access to educational resources.
Whatever he did in life - whether working, serving, building, or fishing - Billy did to the very best of his ability.
Mr. Joiner is survived by his wife, Joan Dowdy Joiner; his children, Jill Johnson, Robin Peacock, Sophia Danforth (Bobby), Nikki Corn (Jamie) of Dallas, Georgia; his grandchildren, Sandi Purinton (Jared), Patrick Johnson (Jessica), Sara Grace Jessup (Cayne), Zach Danforth, Jacob Danforth (Liz), Eli Corn, Atticus Corn, and Ollie Corn; his great grandchildren, Parker Purinton, Cullen Purinton, Canaan Jessup, and Maggie Danforth.
Mr. Joiner is predeceased by his parents, Maggie Pearl and Pat Joiner.
The family of Mr. Joiner may be reached at the residence of Sophia and Bobby Danforth at 884 Evergreen Circle,
Eastman, Georgia 31023.
Hardy- Towns Funeral Home of Eastman is in charge of arrangements. www.hardy-towns.com