Dr. Billy Hugh Copeland

Dr. Billy Hugh Copeland of Bowdon, Georgia went to be with the Lord October 21,2025 at the age of 91.

Dr. Copeland was born June 14, 1934, in Bowdon, Georgia to Wayne and Veda (Millican) Copeland.

He was a 1952 graduate of Bowdon High School. He earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Georgia in 1956.

Dr. Copeland was active in the dental community. Dr. Copeland attended Emory University Dental School and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1960.

His many professional affiliations and memberships included the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, North Western District Dental Society, Northern District Dental Association, Decatur Dental Study Club, Academy of General Dentistry, and a number of the other professional and civic organizations. He was President of Georgia Society of Dentistry for Children. He was a member of the American Association of Dental Consultants, a certified Dental Consultant for Insurance Companies. He also served as a consultant to several insurance companies reviewing their dental plans. Dr. Copeland was a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (Honorary Dental Society). He served on the Peer Review Committee for the Northern District Dental Society.

Dr. Copeland did a lot of volunteering including Dental Clinic service for the Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, Medical-Dental Group Missions to Dominican Republic through the “Christian Medical Society” , and gave his time as a part time faculty of Emory University school of Dentistry for 22 years. He was a columnist for the Georgia Dental Assoc. Journal on Dental Insurance “Breaking Down Barriers”. He was a lecturer on Third Party Benefits & Practice Management.

Life membership in the American Dental Association was conferred upon Dr. Bill Copeland.

He retired from the practice of dentistry in 1997 after practicing in the Atlanta area for 37 years. He continued to work with other dentist on a part-time basis when they needed to be out of their office.

He was a deacon of the Bowdon Baptist Church and taught the Winsome Sunday School Class for several years. He also served on numerous committees at the church. He was a deacon at Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur for several years also. After moving to Sun City Hilton Head he served as deacon at Okatee Baptist Church and taught Sunday School.

He served on the Carroll County Development Authority as treasurer for several years. He was past president of the Lions Club and Zone Chairman.

Preceded in death by parents Wayne & Veda Copeland and brother Robert M. Copeland

Dr. Copeland is survived by his wife, Sue Moon Copeland of Bluffton South Carolina, daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy (Dr. Ted) Melchers of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and Beth (Hal)Parsons of Savannah, Georgia; son Craig Copeland of Bluffton, South Carolina. Grandchildren Rebecca (Lee) Taylor of Yonges Island, South Carolina, Ted (Leah) Melchers of Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Philip (Ruth Anne) Melchers of Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Laura (Trey) Wurst of Charleston, South Carolina, Tripp and Bryce Parsons of Savannah, Georgia; eleven great-grandchildren Grady, Ada-Legare, and Ann-Elise Taylor, Liesel and Gretta Melchers, Madeline, Gabe, and Ella Ruth Wurst, and Elliot, Isaiah, and Titus Melchers.

In lieu of flowers make a donation to Okatee Baptist Church, 5467 N. Okatie Hwy. Ridgeland, SC 29936

According to his wishes he will be cremated. A memorial service will be Saturday, October 25 at Okatee Baptist Church. Reception will follow service at the church.