E. W. “Billy” Mann, III, 82, of Cordele, Georgia, formerly of Ocilla and Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Friday, August 9, 2024, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia with the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, in Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Mann was born December 5, 1941, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late E.W. Mann, Jr. and Myrtle Paulk Mann. He was a 1959 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and earned his Bachelor degree in Business from the University of Georgia in 1963. He was owner/operator of Rainbow Manufacturing in Fitzgerald for over 60 years, working alongside his father and sons, to grow the business. He was a self-trained engineer and designed some of the equipment used by Rainbow as well as several of the processes in manufacturing. He enjoyed watching Fox News and was a member of First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law: Terry & Karen Mann of Tifton, Jamie & Julie V. Mann of Jacksonville, Florida and Chris & Melody Mann of Ocilla; grandchildren: Megan Mann & Jeffrey McFarland, Courtney & Slade Ellis, Payton & Kelsi Mann, Caroline Mann, John Mann, Joel Mann, Jacklyn Mann, Mary Virginia & Will Koran and Julie Ann Hogan; great-grandchildren: Bradley Ellis, Ella Ellis, and Madden Mann; a sister, Elizabeth Mann of Atlanta; a brother, Bobby & Sallie Mann of Dallas; a brother-in-law, Dr. Dennis Steed & Lynn of Greenville, North Carolina; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalind Steed Mann; and two sons: Joey Mann and David Mann.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald is in charge of arrangements.