Mr. George Franklin Williams, age 73, died Friday evening, May 22, 2009 at the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2009 at the Long Branch Church of God with the Rev. B.G. Hammond officiating, assisted by Rev. Tim Tatum.

Interment was in the church cemetery.

The Bulloch County native lived in Jenkins County most of his life. He enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1953 and then the U.S. Navy until 1955, joining the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1957 until 1962. Mr. Williams was employed with Great Dane in Savannah for several years and with Olin Corporation in Augusta for most of his career as a welder. He retired in 2004. He attended the Long Branch Church of God in Millen. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, Erastus Algerine Woods and Bonnie Laura Williams Woods.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Joyce Jackson Williams, of Millen; a daughter and son-in-law, Sabrina and Jeremy Lindsey, of Millen; a son and daughter-in-law, Toby G. and Jean Williams, of Millen; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Lindsey Williams, of Millen and three brothers, James Williams, of South Carolina, Bernard Lavaughn Woods, of Statesboro, and Charles Woods, of Missouri.

Pallbearers were Robert Oglesby, Chuck Lindsey, Eddie Hodges, Bill Mincey, Lewis Edward Jenkins, Tommy Lane and Berry Williams.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Long Branch Church of God Building Fund, 5062 Hwy 25 South, Garfield, Ga. 30425.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro was in charge of arrangements.