William A. "Doc" Hagerson

William Austin “Doc” Hagerson entered into the arms of his Savior on Saturday, January 6, 2018, due to Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services are planned for 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 13, at Concord United Methodist Church, with Rev. Gary Page officiating. Interment will follow in the Hagerson Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 12, between the hours of 6:00 & 8:00 PM at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, “Ladye” Hagerson; his parents, Charlie Neil & Vera Hagerson; sisters, Marguerite “Rite” Knowlton and Hazel Smith; and brother, Milton Hagerson. He is survived by his daughter, Diane Neal; grandsons, Brian and Bert (Heidi) Neal; unborn great grandson (due February 1); and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and extended family. Doc was born and raised in Sumter County, Georgia in the Concord Community. He served four years in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic during the Korean War. During his service, he was on a squadron that set a time record for changing out an engine on a KC 135 “Flying Boxcar” plane. After leaving the service he moved to the Augusta, Georgia area where he was a general contractor doing site work development as the President of Utilities of Augusta, Inc. for over 25 years. He was a man of great faith who was always active in the churches where he was a member. He served in many capacities wherever he was needed. He loved his Lord and sought to serve him diligently wherever he was. As long as he was able, Doc could be found working in his shop to fix things for others or to make his own ideas for gadgets a reality. Some of his favorite “inventions” were his Christmas decorations that he put out in his yard every year as long as he was able, made from scrap metal, bottles, and jars. They included a 20-foot tall Christmas tree that became a yearly project with his son-in-law, grandsons, nephews, and anyone else that would lend a hand to get it put up each year. Doc loved knowing that his decorations brought joy to others. He will be remembered as a man who showed the love and joy of Christ to everyone he met. Even as his memory failed him, he was known to the staff at his assisted living home as “the sweetest man” they knew. The family wishes to thank the staff of Phoenix at Roswell and Homestead Hospice for the kind, compassionate care they gave Doc over the last year. You have been a blessing to us! To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. William Austin "Doc" Hagerson.