PLAINS — George Franklin Williams “Frank”, Sr., 88 died Wednesday, April 23,
2008, at Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus. Mr. Williams was born December
12, 1919, in Plains. He was the son of Oscar Albert Williams, Sr. and Leila
Earl Williams. He was a 1935 graduate of Plains High School and graduated from
the University of Georgia in 1940 with a BS degree in Agronomy. Mr. Williams
married Virginia Harris on January 14, 1943, at Plains Baptist Church. He
then served as a captain in the US Army during World War II and returned
afterwards to Plains to help his father manage the family peanut business,
Williams Warehouse. He was president of Williams Warehouse for many years.
Mr. Williams was very active in his community. He was on the Plains town
council from 1948-1965 and was mayor of Plains from 1965-1971. He was a
charter member of the Plains Lions Club, served as secretary of the Plains
Development Corporation, and served on the board of directors and as treasurer
for the Plains Historic Trust.
He was faithful to his Baptist faith and church for all of his life. He
participated in the establishment of the Friendship Baptist Camp in Americus
and served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. He served his church,
Plains Baptist Church, for over sixty years by preparing the Lord’s Supper and
baptismal pool for both of those ordinances and by serving as a deacon of the
church.
Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Virginia Harris Williams; his brother,
Henry Williams and his wife Beatrice, of Woodbine; his sister-in-law, Marlys
Williams, of Plains; son, George Frank Williams, Jr. and his wife, Jan Bailey
Williams of Plains; son, John Oscar Williams and his wife Cindy Legg Williams,
of Plains; daughter, Virginia Williams Leopold “Ginny” and her husband Martin
Richard Leopold, of Jacksonville, FL.; grandchildren, Christie Williams Kehoe
and her husband, Allen, of Vicenza, Italy; Jason Williams of Americus; Leigh
Anne Williams of Denali National Park, AK; Jay Williams of Americus; Bill
Callis of Roy, WA; Tom Callis and his wife Julie Callis of Apex, NC. Mr.
Williams is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded
in death by his brother, Oscar Albert Williams, Jr. of Plains.
Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at
Plains Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Wilson officiating. Burial will follow
in Lebanon Cemetery in Plains. The family will receive friends Friday, April
25, 2008, from 6-8 P.M. at Hancock Funeral Home on South Lee St. in Americus.
Pallbearers will be Jason Williams, Jay Williams, Bill Callis, Tom Callis,
Al Williams and Larry Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be C.G. Haugabook,
C.L. Walters, Fain Sutherland, the Senior Men’s Sunday School Class at Plains
Baptist Church and the board of Deacons at Plains Baptist Church.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Hospice of
Americus and Sumter Co., P.O. Box 1434, Americus, Ga. 31709, and/or to Plains
Baptist Church, 301 N. Bond St., Plains, Ga. 31780.
