William Elmer George

Mr. William Elmer George, age 96 of Raleigh, North Carolina, formerly of Griffin for more than 60 years, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2012. Mr. George was born in Stone Mountain, Georgia on October 6, 1915. He is preceded in death by parents, Samuel Joseph George and Annie Ruth Alford George; wife, Ella Goddard George; son, William Elmer (Billy) George, Jr.; brothers and sisters, Mildred Juhan, Milton George, Joe George, Clyde George, Velma Rawlins, and Charles George. He is survived by his daughter, Carole Patricia George Sellers and her husband, Benjamin Woodrow Sellers, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, grandson Benjamin Woodrow Sellers, III and wife, Jun Kino Sellers, and their son, Gabriel Kenji Sellers of Seattle, WA; grandson, Christopher Derek George and wife, Cathy Renee George of Griffin, GA; granddaughter, Elizabeth Brashear and husband, Jason Brashear and their daughter, Lillian Ella Brashear of Raleigh, NC; granddaughter, Amelia Aikens Alexander of Atlanta, GA and several nieces and nephews. Mr. George graduated from Stone Mountain High School and Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor Degree of Arts in Education. He lettered in football, baseball, and track and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Pacific Theatre during the latter phases of World War II. Mr. George was employed with the Atlanta Gas Light Company from 1940 to 1950, except during his military service, and was temporary manager of the Griffin office from 1947 to 1950. He then was with Walton Electric Company from 1950 to 1952, was Griffin City Manager from 1952 to 1957, and Executive Director with the Georgia Municipal Association from 1957 to 1983. He was on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, on the Resolution Committee, and was Secretary of Community Facilities for 8 years. Also he was on the Nominations Committee, and Chairman of the REA Relation Committee. Mr. George’s other related activities were: local government Committee of White House Conference on National Balanced Growth, local government Committee of Southern Growth Policies Council of Southern Governors, Goals for Georgia Commission- Program Sponsored by the Governor Jimmy Carter, Issues Committee of Governor Joe Frank Harris’ Georgia Growth Strategies Commission, Past Secretary- Georgia Planning Association, Past President- Georgia Society of Association Executives, Past President- Georgia City Managers Association, Chairman- Spalding 2000 Commission, Chairman- Spalding County Planning and Zoning Commission, Secretary- Industrial Development Committee 1952-1957, Past President of Griffin Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge, member of the Moose Lodge, VFW Clubs, General Griffin.org, Chamber of Commerce of Griffin and Atlanta, The Atlanta Braves (Atlanta 100 Organization), Secretary of Local Hospital Authority (Hill-Burton 1952- 1957). Mr. George worked with and was recognized by several governors of the State of Georgia. Mr. George was a member of First Baptist Church of Griffin, teaching Boys 11 and 12 year old Sunday School Class, involved in the Flint River Boy Scout Council and Boy Scout Leader. He enjoyed golf, gardening, writing and reading. Visitation for Mr. William Elmer George will be on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Griffin. Dr. Bill Hardee will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 908, Griffin, GA 30224 in memory of Mr. George.

William Elmer George

October 6, 1915 - August 13, 2012