Granville Bilyeu

Granville Lee â??Hankâ? Bilyeu, 75 of Hopewell, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009 in John Randolph Medical Center. â??Hankâ? was born in Krum, TX and had been a long time resident of the Hopewell/Prince George area. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, former editor of the Hopewell News where he presently served as the Sports Editor, a position which he has held for 50 years. He graduated from Krum High School, as valedictorian of the class of 1951. â??Hankâ? was a member of the First Congregational Christian Church, a licensed minister of the Church of the Nazarene, formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Hopewell Emergency Crew, was former president of the Hopewell Band Fans Club, and was a member of the Pilot House and Salvation Army. He was recognized for many of his accomplishments in the local community. â??Hankâ? was inducted into the Hopewell High School â??Hall of Fameâ?, was chosen Citizen of the Year for Hopewell/Prince George in the year 2003, was the recipient of the Jack Fulp Award, the Marshall Johnson State Sports Award in 2003 and numerous other honors. He was formerly employed by the Petersburg Homeless shelter. Mr. Bilyeu was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Renfro Bilyeu. He is survived by a daughter, Cherry Bilyeu Buhl and her husband Norman of Franklin, TN, three sons, Gary David Bilyeu and his wife, Jill of Davidsonville, MD, Guy Samuel Bilyeu and his wife Eileen of Chattanooga, TN, Scott Christopher Bilyeu of Parker, CO. and their mother, Florence Anne Bilyeu of Chesterfield, three grandchildren, Nicholas Buhl, Kirby and Cady Bilyeu, a brother, Russell Bilyeu of Chico, TX., a sister, Theopal Reed and her husband James of Krum, TX, devoted nephew, Marc, his wife Diana, nieces Sandy and Donna Jo and numerous other family members. The family will receive friends Friday, January 9, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. J. Bruce Catron, pastor of First Congregational Christian Church officiating. Interment will be in Appomattox Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hank Bilyeu Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o Hopewell High School, 400 S. Mesa Drive, Hopewell, Virginia 23860. Condolences may be registered with www.jtmorriss.com