WILLIAM VERNON BLEDSOE

William Vernon Bledsoe, age 86, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 at his residence. Funeral services for Mr. Bledsoe will be held on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Rocky Ridge Baptist Church in Donalsonville, GA with Rev. John Werner officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Memorial Gardens with Keith Bowen, David Shattles, Nick Shattles, Clayton Bowen, Noah Shattles, and Robert Dukes serving as active casketbearers. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, Jan. 27, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Bledsoe was born in Dunn, NC on Oct. 31, 1929 to William Arthur Bledsoe and Emily Maynor Bledsoe. He served his country in the United States Army for 23 years before retiring. He enlisted in 1947, completing his basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC. Mr. Bledsoe then served in Korea and Vietnam. While in the military, he attained the rank of Staff Sargent. He retired in 1971 at Ft. Rucker, after receiving the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorius Service Vietnam Service in July 1970 and the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorius Service 83D Engineer Battalion Fort Rucker, AL in June 1971. In June of 2000, Mr. Bledsoe also received a commendation from Pres. Kim-Dae-Jung, Pres. of the Republic of Korea, for his service. After retiring from the military, Mr. Bledsoe worked for 23 years with the City of Donalsonville as a utilities manager before fully retiring. In his retirement times he enjoyed building wooden swings and chairs, working crossword puzzles, reading and gardening with his father-in-law, Will D. Hagler. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Bledsoe leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters, Vanessa Odom and her husband Drayton of Webb, AL, Jujuan Bowen and her husband Keith of Donalsonville, GA, and Amanda Shattles and her husband David of Donalsonville, GA; as well as his grandchildren, Bethany Powell of Bainbridge, GA, Meagan Bowen of Tampa, FL, Nick Shattles of Donalsonville, GA, Clayton Bowen of Donalsonville, GA, and Noah Shattles of Donalsonville, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Arthur Bledsoe and Emily Maynor Bledsoe; his wife, Syble Hagler Bledsoe; and two sisters, Alice Kidd and Gladys Whitehead. Memorial contributions may be made to Seminole County Warpath on Cancer PO Box PO Box 616 Donalsonville, GA or Rocky Ridge Baptist Church 1288 Hwy 39 N Donalsonville, GA 39845.