Mr. Frank “FP” Batay, age 74, of Vidalia, died Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at his home following an extended illness. He was a lifelong resident of Toombs County and attended Montgomery County High School. He entered the U.S. Army in 1969 and served one tour of duty in Vietnam. He was the recipient of the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Purple Heart recipient. He was a carpenter and worked with Vernon Foskey Construction for many years. He was Methodist by faith. He enjoyed raising game foul, coon hunting, hog hunting, fishing, reading, and watching Westerns, especially Gunsmoke. Preceding him in death was a son, Shannon Daniel Batay; parents, Franklin Pheley Batay, Sr. and Atha Whitaker Batay; and three brothers, Cecil Batay, Benny Batay, and an infant brother, Leonard Batay.
His family includes his wife of thirty-seven years, Donna D. McDaniel of Vidalia; one daughter, Lisa Ann Gray and husband Michael of Dublin; two brothers, David Batay and Billy Batay, both of Vidalia; two sisters, Janice Sizemore and husband Jay of Ft. Pierce, Florida, and Deborah Carpenter and husband Jimmy of Vidalia; three grandchildren, Garrett Michael Gray of Alaska, Bianca Kight of Emanuel County, and Sophie Shannon Quintero of Dublin; and several nieces and nephews, including a nephew, Jesse Batay.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
The funeral service will be Friday, June 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Albert White officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or by visiting their website at woundedwarriorsproject.org
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