Mr. William Ray Anderson, age 76, of Tennille, died Friday, June 14, 2019 at Warrenton Health and Rehab Facility following an extended illness. A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 17th at 4:00 p.m. in May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Zeta Cemetery in Tennille. Reverend Larry Glover will officiate. Pallbearers will be David Anderson, Tommy Anderson, Bobby Anderson, Charles Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Phillip Harrelson, Rogers Anderson and Sylvester Hooks.
Mr. Anderson was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, the son of the late Ivey Ray Anderson and the late Alberta Tompkins Anderson. He was a graduate of Washington County High School and began his working career farming and operating a dairy, something he had done since childhood. William formerly worked for Thiele Kaolin Company prior to working for the City of Sandersville where he was the utility meter reader and retired as the city’s purchasing agent. He was a good cook, often preparing anything from fatback to cakes to share with others. William was also a lover of animals and took great pride in raising German Sheppards and Chihuahuas. He always had a fondness for children and would share his animals with them at county fairs. He was a member of Piney Mount UMC.
He is survived by his siblings, Carolyn A. Harrelson of Tennille, David Anderson and his wife Nora Mae of Sandersville, Bobby Anderson and his wife Gail and Tommy Anderson all of Tennille and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Monday from 3:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Sandersville/Washington County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 71, Sandersville, GA. 31082 or to Zeta Cemetery Trust Fund, P.O. Box 1, Tennille, GA. 31089 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN. 38105-9959.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.