Billy Bryant Rykard

Billy Bryant Rykard, 84, of Columbus, GA died Sunday, October 30, 2022 at his home.

Graveside services will be held 12:30 PM Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Billy Bryant Rykard was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1938. He graduated from Valdosta High School and entered Georgia Tech in 1956. He married his highschool sweetheart, Deanna Esther Harrell, in September of 1959. Billy worked and put himself through Georgia Tech while supporting his family. His daughter, Debbie Rykard Rhodes, was born in August of 1960. Upon graduating from Georgia Tech in June 1962, he began his service in the Air Force. He was stationed at Brookley Air Force Base where his son, Stephen Scott Rykard, was born in May of 1963. Following active-duty service, he served in the Air Force Reserves, and worked with Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati and St. Louis for three years until moving to Macon, Georgia, in 1968 to begin a distinguished career with Merrill Lynch.  Billy was recognized numerous times as achieving Chairman’s Club status. After his retirement in 1985, he and Esther lived briefly in Sarasota and Mary Esther, Florida, and moved to Columbus, Georgia in 2001.

Billy is survived by his loving wife, Esther Harrell Rykard; daughter, Debbie Rhodes (Carl), grandsons, Carl Rhodes, Jr, (Samantha), Cecil Rhodes (Lizzie), and Thomas Rhodes; son, Stephen Rykard (Melanie), granddaughters, Rebecca Lovett (Andrew), Alden O’ Kelley (Kip) and grandson, Will Rykard; great-grandsons, Carl Rhodes, III, Scotty Rhodes and Henry Rhodes;  sister, Linda Kirby (William), brother, Dale Rykard (Evelyn), sisters in law, Elaine McCann, Betty Dees (Raymond) and Carolyn K. Harrell; brother-in-law, Ted Harrell (Meriam) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Billy enjoyed traveling, trips to the beach with his family, watching college football and PGA golf, and his weekly trips to the movies with his daughter.