BROOKLET, Ga. -- Mr. Bloyce William “Billy” Prosser, age 84, died on Monday, May 15, 2024, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice inpatient facility in Statesboro.

The Bulloch County native was a 1957 graduate of Southeast Bulloch High School. Following his graduation, Billy moved to Texas, where he began his career as a commercial shrimper. He later returned to Bulloch County, where he farmed.

In 1971, he purchased Colonels Island Marina and The Islander Restaurant, in which he owned and operated until 1979.

With the continued passion for shrimping, Billy soon returned to the water as a shrimper and in the early 1980s, he started Prosser’s Seafood, which he continued to own until he was in his early 80s.

Prosser’s Seafood continued under the ownership of his son, Bubba, until his death, and is currently still operating as a family business under the ownership of his grandson, Colton Prosser.

He was a member of the Georgia Shrimper’s Association.

He was a member of the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, John Blois Prosser and Mittie Brannen Prosser; a son, William Howard “Bubba” Prosser; his former wife, Anna Bell Dugas Scott; and several brothers and a sister.

Surviving are his wife, Sylvia Parrish Prosser of Brooklet; four sons, Robert Lynn Prosser of Midway, Guy Freeman of Statesboro, Steve Freeman (Maggie) of Wilson, N.C.; and Andy Freeman (India) of Shellman Bluff; a daughter, Sebrena Prosser Smith (Robbie) of Metter; and 11 grandchildren, Elizabeth Prosser, Rachel Prosser and Colton Prosser, all of Brooklet; Emily Freeman of Bremerton, Wash.; Jessica Applegate of Mechanicsville, Pa.; Forest Freeman of Greenville, N.C.; Jordan Freeman of Atlanta, Madison Freeman of Athens, Tabatha Prosser of Metter, Samantha Smith of Metter and Eric Smith of Savannah. Several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.

The funeral service will follow the visitation at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with Elder Randy Waters officiating. Interment will be in the Brooklet City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ted Davis, Robert Wiggins, Steve Waters, Warren Groover, Emory Roberts, Mike McElveen, Glenn Shuman and Gerald Ward.

Honorary pallbearers will be any area shrimpers.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.0. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, May 15, 2024

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