W.L. James, 76, of Rochelle, Georgia, died Friday, August 7, 2020 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, August 9, 2020, at Salem Cemetery in Ben Hill County, Georgia, with the Rev. Bill Tracy officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all are encouraged to maintain social distancing as well as bring and wear a mask.
Mr. James was born December 7, 1943, in Irwin County, Georgia to the late Grover C. & Minnie Luke James. He spent all of his life in the Abba and Salem communities. He worked for Stone Oil Company and later worked for Carroll Sheppard in the 70s and 80s. He owned and operated his own automotive repair shop for many years as well. He loved to fish and hunt. He was an active member of Salem Baptist Church where he formerly served as Sunday school director and worked on the House & Grounds Committee.
He is survived by a son: Greg & Christine James of Fitzgerald and Greg’s mother, Shirley Waller of Fitzgerald; two daughters: Ange Brown of Abbeville and Melissa & Gary Gayton of Rochelle; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Frances Gibbs of Fitzgerald; and sisters-in-law: Betty James of Fitzgerald, Lillian Cleghorn of Apopka, Florida, JoAnn White of Fitzgerald, Willie Eve Williamson of Cordele, Marcia Parks of Rochelle, Judy Hannah of Rochelle, and Linda Carver & Needam of Moultrie. Many nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Williamson James; and three brothers: Bill James, Ralph James, and J.D. Cleghorn.