Billy Ray Heffner

Billy Ray Heffner, 74, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at Atrium Health Care Center in Charlotte.

He was a member of Lowell Church of God. He loved the Lord and his family with all his heart. He was a loving devoted husband, brother, father and grandfather. He was "His wife's "knight" in shining armor". He was an avid gardener and do it all man or "Jack of All Trades", loved wood working, jokester and comedian. He was always singing or humming or whistling. He was a hard worker, and loved western movies (especially John Wayne). He was a sports fan, with his favorites being basketball and football. He loved car shows and cooking and trying new recipes. As a teenager he started working in textiles. He eventually worked as a meat cutter for Mincey Food Mart until they closed and then went on to be a meat market manager for Food Lion until he retired. He took immense pride in his work with his store being the highest profiting meat market in his district.

Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Cynthia Dianne Heffner; children, Michelle Smith (Steve), Kim Pendleton (Mike), Chrystal Sanders (Jonathan); grandchildren, Joshua Smith, Emma Vaughn (Payton), Brooke Pendleton, Benjamin Sanders; great-grandchild, Baby Vaughn (due September of 2026); brother, Pastor Joe Heffner; sister, Loretta Trammell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Amy Heffner, sister Mary Julia Heffner, brother, Paul Heffner Jr., sister, Gail Brafford.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11:00 am, at the Lowell Church of God, 804 W. 1st St. Lowell, NC. The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 11:00 am prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Billy's memory to Lowell Church of God, 804 W. 1st Street, Lowell, NC.

The South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service is honored to serve the Heffner family. Condolences may be shared online at: www.greenefuneral.com.