William Eugene Oliver, 81, of Omega passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2002, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2002, at Omega United Methodist Church with the Rev. Frank Morris and the Rev. Cecil Felts officiating. Mr. Oliver was laid to rest at Omega Cemetery.
Andy Oliver, Brad Baker, Chad Baker, Zach Baker, James Oliver and Andy Smith served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Lenton Fletcher, Jones Ponder, Willard Dunn, Ray Hunt Sr., Ray Hunt Jr., Russ Ponder, Brian Ponder, Lloyd Baker, Gibbs Patrick Sr., Gibbs Patrick Jr., Raymond Jones, Gene Marchant, Tommy Hornbuckle and W. C. Pitts.
Born September 14, 1921, in Tift County, Mr. Oliver was the son of the late Henry Hamilton Oliver and Mamie Jones Oliver. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Edward Oliver. He was a retired postmaster; and he was a member of Omega United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board. He was a United States Army paratrooper and served in World War II and during the Battle of the Bulge, and he was the recipient of the Purple Heart. He also retired as a volunteer fireman; and he was a local electrician. His hobby was enjoying his grandchildren; and he had lived in Tift County his entire life.
Mr. Oliver is survived by his wife, Christine Elouise Varnadoe Oliver of Omega; one son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Linda Oliver of Omega; one daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Wayne Baker of Omega; one brother, H. H. Oliver of Omega; one sister, Grace Cannington of Omega; four grandchildren and their spouses, Andy and Suzanne Oliver, Zach Baker, Brad and Brandy Baker and Chad and Amy Baker; and three great-grandchildren.