Billy Joe Swafford, 64, of Tate, died Feb. 28, 2014.

Born Aug. 28, 1949, in Gwinnett County to the late Sherman and Lenny Mae Swafford, he had lived in Pickens County for the past 10 years, having moved from Dawsonville.

Mr. Swafford worked a number of years in residential construction and formerly owned a filling station in Buford.

His daughter, Susan Swafford; brother, Ronnie Swafford; and daughter-in-law, Tonya Swafford, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his children, Billy Joe Jr. and Juanell Swafford, Terry Joe Swafford, Jeff Swafford, Melinda "Misty" Swafford, Joey Swafford, all of Cumming, Bobby Joe Swafford of Tate; sister, Shirley Foster of Dallas; 14 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; his ex-wives, Brenda Swafford, Helen Swafford and Carrol Greene; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. March 3 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Barney Johns officiating. Interment followed in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.