Billy Roy Kight

Billy Roy Kight, 74, of Dublin, Georgia, passed away on the evening of January 9, 2026. Born in Dublin on July 12, 1951, he was the first son of Thelmon Kight, Jr., and Mary Davis Evans.

In his younger years, he and his family moved to Winter Haven, Florida, and then Vidalia, Georgia. After returning to Laurens County, he graduated from East Laurens High School in 1969. He worked at the J.P. Stevens factory in Statesboro while attending Georgia Southern College, graduating in 1973 with a degree in history. He began his professional career as a probation officer with the State of Georgia. While working full-time, he continued his education by earning a master's degree in psychology from the University of Georgia and, after years of commuting at night to Atlanta, a juris doctor from Atlanta Law School in 1978.

In 1979, he joined his brother-in-law Gibbs Flanders to form the law firm Kight & Flanders. Over the decades of his legal career, he provided wise counsel and assistance to countless citizens throughout Laurens County. The difficult and impoverished circumstances of his own youth, which he rarely spoke of, led him to show non-judgmental kindness to people of all backgrounds.

In 1993, Billy was appointed County Attorney for Laurens County, a position he held for over thirty years until his death. His insights were valued for their common sense and sound judgment, often delivered with a laugh and a smile. At home, these same qualities of mischievous humor, intelligence, and gentleness were equally present, especially during those special moments in his home library surrounded by the thousands of books he cherished.

He is survived by his much-loved wife of 36 years, Karen Lee Kight; sons Joseph Brian Kight, of Savannah, and Joshua Eric Kight and his wife Victoria, of Dublin; siblings Sheila Morris (husband Bobby Morris, deceased), Bobby Kight and his wife Susan, Larry Kight and his wife Kathy, and Joan Thomas and her husband James; the mother of his children, Emily Flanders Kight; three grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepsons, Lindsay Michael Swida, Jr., and Matthew Lane Swida, whom he helped raise and who loved him dearly.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 12, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home.

A funeral service celebrating Billy's life will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 13, in the Mary Whitaker Townsend Memorial Chapel of Townsend Brothers Funeral Home. Following the service, Billy will be laid to rest at Northview Cemetery in Dublin.