Walter Rylander, Sr.

Mr. Walter Rylander, Sr., 93, of Moore Drive, Americus, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 9, 2011 at Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 11, in Oak Grove Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Dupree will officiate. A lifetime resident of Americus, GA, he was born August 9, 1917, the son of the late Walter Rylander Sr. and Frances Davenport Rylander. He attended Americus High School for 3 years and graduated from Georgia Military Academy in College Park in 1935. In 1939, he received a 4-year degree from the University of Georgia where he had served as president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Upon graduation, he received a reserve commission in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in Infantry, and served for five years in the Army during World War 2. For 2½ years he served in the China-Burma-Theater, and while serving in India, he had the opportunity to enjoy several big game hunts on elephant back. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Lt. Colonel in 1946. In addition to his love of hunting and fishing, Mr. Rylander was very civic minded, serving as president of the Americus Rotary Club and the Americus Country Club. He was a mason and a shriner and served many years as a director and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a long-time member of the Board of Stewards of the First United Methodist Church and was a member of the University of Georgia Gridiron Secret Society. He was a Ford Dealer in Americus for more than 40 years and served as president of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Walter Rylander, Jr. and Dana Rylander of Americus. His wife, Alice Walker Rylander, preceded him in death in 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to Phoebe-Sumter Hospice, P. O. Box 1434, Americus, GA 31709, or to any favorite charity. Hancock Funeral Home, www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of arrangements.