William J. Banks, age 73, lived fully in the Lord until his transition in his home on May 7, 2006.

Known to most as "Billy Joe", he was born on January 19, 1933 in Ironton, OH. He later moved to Columbus, OH where [he] graduated from South High School and earned an Associates Degree in Business from Franklin University.

He retired from AT&T as a Programmer and Supervisor in the early 1990's. In his earlier years, he served in the United States Army during the Korean era as an Airborne Paratrooper and excelled as an athlete in football, and track and field.

Before the era of Tiger Woods, Bill established a sustained reputation as a skilled and exceptional amateur golfer, allowing him to travel to some of the nation's greatest courses, and to work until his passing at the Gahanna Golf Course.

He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and displayed his faith as a vital and active member of the Columbus Christian Center. Preceded in death by his parents Homer and Evelyn Edwards. He is survived by his devoted wife of 19 years, Velta (Dee Dee) Banks; son, Pastor William Douglas Banks, I (Erica); step-children, Velita Daniels (Steven), and Anthony Reid; grandchildren, William Douglas Banks, II, Lauryn Ashley Gordon, Christiana N. Daniels, Steven Daniels, II, and Reid E. Dunbar; a host of other relatives and friends.

Service of Celebration and Remembrance 12Noon Thursday, May 11, 2006 at Columbus Christian Center, 2300 N. Cassady Ave., where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until start of service. Dr. David C. Forbes, Jr. officiating. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St.

(The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, OH, 10 May 2006, page 10E - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)