It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Billy Gjerde. Billy passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the home he shared in Elijay, Georgia, with his loving fiancé, Liz Lopez.

Born August 25, 1965, in Chicago,  to the late Dolores Gonzalez Gjerde and the late William A Gjerde.. Billy spent much of his childhood in Middleburg, Florida, before moving to Alsip, Illinois. He graduated from Alan B Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, before entering the Marines in 1983.  Upon returning home, he traveled extensively, living again in Florida, California, Illinois, and Georgia..

Billy was a skilled carpenter and had the wardrobe to prove it, his muscle shirts his signature style.

A natural-born flirt who never married, Billy settled down when he met the love of his life, Liz Lopez.  Living together in California, they relocated and made Elijay their home. He loved it there and loved Liz more.

Billy was devoted to family. He was affectionately known as Uncle Billy to pretty much everyone and never met a stranger. His defining quality was his kindness and his big heart, hidden beneath his pretend gruff exterior. To know Billy was to truly love Billy. He never gave up on people. Ever. Billy is the example of " it's not the years in life but the life in your years. "  Billy enjoyed a motorcycle ride , his Jim Beam and Mountain Dew, a nice long toke, and the company of friends and family over everything else. He was all heart, and our hearts are broken.

Billy is preceded in death by his aforementioned parents, and his sisters Jean Ann Elder, Susan Marie Elder, Melodie Rose Elder, his beloved niece Sarah Catherine Kuchay, and cousin Gregory Klima.

Billy is lovingly remembered by his brother Robert Alan Elder, his sister April Michele Gjerde and his brother Eric Jason Gjerde . Billy is equally loved and adored by his step-siblings, Cheryl Pavlow  Kuchay

(Robert )  and Robert Pavlow. Deeply missed by cousins Jamie ( Suzanne) Klima, Shannon ( Joe ) Hillman, Linda Cusson, Joyce Dudek, and Laura Jackson.

Billy is adored by many nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

"If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me? For I must be traveling on now, 'Cause there's too many places I've got to see ".

Fly on Freebird, you're free at last.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 11, at Bernhardt Funeral Home.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bernhardt Funeral Home 163 River St. Ellijay, GA 30540