Boyd William James

Mr. Boyd William James, age 80 of Douglas, Ga., formerly of Axson, Ga., passed away, Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga. following a brief illness.  Born September 24, 1941, in Baxley, Ga., he was the son of Woodrow and Gertrude James.  He grew up in Axson where he graduated from Atkinson County High School.  Mr. James then attended colleges, ABAC, as well as Auburn and UGA, where he graduated from in 1966 with his bachelor’s degree in Engineering.  He married Peggy Turner James in 1965.  Mr. James was an engineer with Georgia Power Company until 1975 when he decided to change careers and returned to Atkinson County to help his father on the farm.  Together, he and Peggy, raised two boys, Kevin Lee James, born June 9, 1968, and Kenneth Lamar James, born November 30, 1970.  In 1987, Mr. James attended Wiregrass Technical College, where he received a degree in Industrial Maintenance.  He then worked for Gold Kist Farms Inc. in the maintenance department until he retired in 2005.   Mr. James was a member of Union Hill Congregational Christian Church, where he served faithfully over 40 years as a deacon.  He and Peggy made their home in Axson from 1975 until 2019, when they decided to downsize and move to Douglas, Ga. so they could more fully enjoy their retirement and spend more time with family.  Mr. James was preceded in death, along with his parents, by his brother, Lynard Wayne James and sister, Pamela Joyce “Pam” Witherspoon.

Survivors include:

Wife of 56 years:  Peggy James of Douglas, Ga.

2 Sons:  Kevin James and wife, Letitia (Vogt) of Seneca, S.C.

              Ken James and wife, Michane (Shannon) of Valdosta, Ga.

 Brother:  Jerry James and wife, Linda of Moultrie, Ga.

Sister:  Paula McMullen and husband, Mike of Forsyth, Ga.

Brother-in-law:  Mike Witherspoon of Axson, Ga.

Sister-in-law:  Elaine James

Sister-in-law: Sherryl Bullard and husband Ricky of Douglas, Ga.

5 Grandchildren:  Timothy Crouso and wife, Mary Beth

                             Alexa Rae James

                             Marissa Stone

                             Robert James

                             Faith James

4 Great-Grandchildren:  Raymond and Olivia Crouso

                                       Allen and Skylar Stone

Several nieces and nephews along with many other relatives also survive.

Funeral Services for Mr. James were held, Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Union Hill Congregational Christian Church with Rev. Matt Rutland officiating.  Special musical selections included “Beulah Land” by soloist, Mike Witherspoon with cd accompaniment, and “Whispering Hope” by pianist, Judy Foskey accompanied by Rev. Matt Rutland.  Soft music for the Prelude and Postlude was provided by pianist, Judy Foskey.  The interment followed in Union Hill Cemetery with song, “Amazing Grace” rendered by guitarist, Rev. Matt Rutland accompanied by those in the congregation. 

Serving as active pallbearers were:  Timothy Crouso, Robert James, Ricky Bullard, Mike Witherspoon, Bruce Corbitt, Trevor Carter, Joe Merritt and Russell Durden. 

Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.