The News Courier will publish, free of charge, death notices including the name, age and city of residence of the deceased, date and place of death, and time and place of funeral services and visitation.

Family members now may express themselves in a eulogy, list survivors and give detailed biographical information about the deceased in a paid obituary. The News Courier will accept these paid items from the family, funeral directors, or other individuals. Paid obituaries may include a photo at no extra charge.

If a published obituary contains an error, The News Courier will reprint a corrected obituary at no charge, provided the error was ours. The News Courier does not issue refunds on obituary announcements.

For pricing information, call Vanessa McKee at The News Courier, 232-2720.



Willie Learven Billions

The funeral for Willie Learven Billions, 66, of Toney, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Ardmore Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Ardmore, with Jeffrey Heard and Mike Webster officiating. Burial will be in Ready Cemetery in Toney.

Visitation will be from 5-9 tonight at the funeral home.

Mr. Billions died Monday, March 20, 2006, at his home.



Betty Jean Lay

The funeral for Betty Jean Lay, 68, of Athens, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at McConnell Funeral Home with Randy Barnes officiating. Burial will be Sardis Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6-9 tonight at the funeral home.

Mrs. Lay died Monday, March 20, 2006, at her home.

She was born on March 22, 1937, in Pineknot Ky., to Osie Criscillies and Violet Lay Criscillies. She was retired from the Chrysler Corporation in Michigan.

She is survived by one daughter, Tammy Lay Barnes of Athens; one son-in-law, Jerrold Barnes of Athens; three sisters, Rose Shindorf of Athens, Bessie Meadows, of Pineknot, Ky., and Faye Baker of Polland, Ind.; four brothers, David Criscillies of Indianapolis, Ind., Clifton Criscillies of Indiana, Billy Criscillies also of Indianapolis, and Jimmy Criscillies of Rushville, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chris Shindorf, Scott Shindorf, Bryan Thornton, David Criscillies, Clifton Criscillies and Billy Criscillies.



Bebe McElyea Smith

The funeral for Bebe McElyea Smith, 66, of Athens, will be at 2 p.m. today at Spry Funeral Home with James Bridges officiating. Burial will be in Dement Cemetery.

Mrs. Smith died Monday, March 20, 2006, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Carmel Church of Christ.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Lynn Smith and Donald Wayne Smith, both of Athens; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.



William Christopher Wise

The funeral for William Christopher Wise, 36, of Athens will be at 11 a.m. Friday at McConnell Funeral Home with Dr. Fred Lackey, the Rev. Joe Teal and the Rev. Joe Ziegler officiating. Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Wise died Sunday, March 19, 2006, at his residence.

He was born Feb. 25, 1970, in Decatur. He graduated from Athens High School in 1988 and attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 1988 until 1990, Athens State University from 1990 until 1992 where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science and history, and the University of Alabama School of Law from 1992 until 1995 where he received his Juris Doctor. Mr. Wise has served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Limestone County District Attorneys Office and was currently employed by the AllStar Comics and Cards in Athens.

He is survived by is wife, April Kelley Wise of Athens; one son, Steven MacArthur Wise of Athens; his mother Joan Thompson Orman of Athens; his father, William MacArthur Wise of Alabaster; one grandmother, Elizabeth Thompson Mabe of Athens; one brother, Chad Wise and his wife, Ashley Bailey Wise, of Athens; nieces and nephews, Chase Wise, Kaitlyn Wise, Alysa Wise, Matthew Wise; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Fuller, Jason Fuller, Chris Pappas, Franklin Harris, Danny Weinrib, Mark Jones, Damon Smith, Tommy Gilbert, Owen Anderson, and Steve Croomes.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.