George H. Whatley, 71, of Fitzgerald, died Friday, June 17, 2016, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Monday, June 20, 2016, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Minister Mike Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Sunday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Whatley was born July 25, 1944, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the late Grady William & Dorothy Mae Haley Whatley. He was a 1964 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and attended South Georgia Technical College. He was a certified electrician and welder. He served his country honorably in the United States Army, stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Mr. Whatley worked as a salesman for Columbia Insurance and National Insurance. He owned and operated Whatley Enterprises, managing rental property and automated teller machines. He was an avid fisherman and dancer. Mr. Whatley was an active member of the community including the Elks Lodge, American Legion Post 99, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1082 and formerly a member of the Georgia State Defense Force. He was a member of Crossview Baptist Church.
He is survived by his companion, Laura Hastings of Fitzgerald; a sister, Gail & James Campbell of Fitzgerald; nieces and nephews, William Scott Luke of Carrabelle, Florida, Cristi Spivey Luke of Fitzgerald, Georgeann & Mark Cook of Davisboro, Amanda Batten of Amelia Island, Florida, and Rebecca & Brian Braddy of Fitzgerald; great-nieces and nephews: Austin Luke, Elias Batten, Haley Braddy, Mac Batten, Anna Luke, Ashley Braddy, Allie Braddy, and Mason Whatley Batten; and a life-long friend, Tommy Lee Hobbs of Douglas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Gradine Luke.