William Attridge

ATTRIDGE, Sr., William "Billy" Hamilton

William "Billy" Attridge, Sr. passed away on June 17, 2025.

Billy was born April 20, 1946, in Atlanta, GA, at Georgia Baptist Hospital to Archibald and Katherine Attridge. Byron and Kathie were his older siblings.

He attended grammar school at Garden Hills and later graduated from North Fulton High School in 1964 where he was a star defensive/offensive tackle for the football team that won the prestigious High School Milk Bowl Championship in 1963. He was a member of the "Buckhead Boys" social club.

After High School Billy attended the University of Georgia but decided to transfer and carry on the family tradition to graduate from Georgia Tech, once he realized he could already read and write. (No offense to UGA alumni…) Billy remained a faithful Yellowjacket fan through the years.

Billy had an accomplished career as a Superintendent/Project Manager for construction companies in the Atlanta area, including Holder Construction, Beacon Industries and Paramont Grading Company from 1970 through 2008.

Billy met the love of his life, Nancy Copenhaver, in 1961. They were destined soulmates and after several "life detours," they were married in 1984 and never looked back. 40 years of marriage and 64 years of love. Billy proposed in romantic fashion to Nancy at a Neil Sedaka concert in Chastain Park, one of their favorite spots.

Billy and Nancy had a lifetime of fun adventures and travels. They enjoyed fine dining and gourmet food and wine at restaurants as well as preparing delicious meals at home.

Billy loved the outdoors, he and Nancy moved to the mountains in Dahlonega, GA on the Chestatee River in 1996.

Billy enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, Doug. They had many good times on Lake Lanier, boating together. Billy was outstanding on the grill, and famously known for his melt in your mouth "secret recipe" ribs, which were always requested. He also had a green thumb and started a vegetable garden (until the deer got the best of it.)

Later in life, at age 62 he picked up golf & poker and loved the camaraderie of playing cards with the "boys" each month and having a beer or two or three...at Shennanigans Pub.

Billy was one of a kind. He had incredible wit and a fun sense of humor. He spoke his mind and didn't mince words. He was beloved by everyone he met.

He was rough and tough on the exterior but a big teddy bear inside. If you met Billy, you remembered him. He left a lasting impression.

A man of humor and generosity, Billy had a gift for making everyone around him smile. He had a deep love for animals, especially dogs and Nancy trained him to love cats, too.

Billy is survived by his wife of 40 years Nancy Copenhaver Attridge, of Dahlonega, GA; brother, Byron Attridge (Florence), of Atlanta, GA; son, Doug Attridge (Susie), of Cumming, GA (Susie); grandchildren, Will Attridge, of Marrietta, GA and Kathryn and Kennedy Attridge, of Cumming, GA. Billy is also survived by four nieces and one nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday July 22, 2025, from 11 AM - 3 PM at Cavendar Creek Winery & Vineyard at 3610 Cavendar Creek Rd Dahlonega, GA 30533.

If you would like to make a donation in his honor, please consider making donations to the following:

Friends of Lumpkin County Animal Shelter, 1363 Red Oak Flats Rd., Dahlonega, GA 3053.

www.friendsoflcshelteranimals.com or https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UPSJXCBSMQEMY

OR

Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, www.samaritanspurse.org.