William Lloyd Gay, Jr.

William Lloyd Gay, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at his residence on Gay Farm, in Leslie, Georgia, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. He was one month shy of being 89 years old. Lloyd was born at home on the family farm in Bluffton, Georgia, on December 11, 1932. Lloyd grew up on the family farm in Fort Gaines, Georgia, where he developed a passion for farming, hunting, and fishing. He graduated from Fort Gaines High School in 1950, where he played basketball, was pitcher for the school’s baseball team, and was president of his senior class. He attended Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, Georgia, where he earned a degree in Animal Husbandry and was valedictorian of his graduating class. He was also a pitcher for the ABAC baseball team. Upon Graduating from College, he joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. After faithfully serving his time in the Air Force, Lloyd returned home to Fort Gaines to farm. In 1959 the family farm was flooded by the Chattahoochee River, upon creation of the Walter F. George Dam. Lloyd and his family relocated to a farm in Sumter County, where he resided for the past 62 years. Until retirement, he raised livestock and grew peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and fresh vegetables. He was instrumental in introducing the mass production of fresh vegetables to the Sumter County area, where he was part owner of Fresh Farm Produce. He was also instrumental in introducing the crop, grain sorghum, to the Sumter County Area. Lloyd was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia, where he faithfully served in many capacities. He was a deacon, taught Sunday School to 13-year-old boys for many years, taking the boys on a yearly fishing trip to Fort Gaines, served as director of his Sunday School Department, and was in charge of the annual Church Fish Fry and Watermelon fellowship for many years. Lloyd served on the Board of Directors of Gold Kist, was a past President of the Sumter County Farm Bureau, was a mentor to young farmers in the community; and was a past member of the Sons of the Confederacy and the Sumter County Board of Education. Upon retirement, Lloyd, who was an accomplished fisherman, spent most of his spare time on local creeks, rivers, and lakes. He seldom turned down an opportunity to pursue his favorite hobby. Lloyd is survived by the love of his life for the past 69 years, Bobbie Watson Gay; daughter, Terri Hinson (Bill), and son, Alton Gay (Pam). He was a beloved “Grandaddy” to Heather Brewer (Jay), Bobby Gay (Danielle), LauraLee Barnes (Jeff), Wesley Hinson (Abby), Ashley White (Will), and Josh Morris. Great grandchildren include Elaina and Zoe Gay, Cole and Caleb Brewer, Brayden, Ella and Brooks Barnes, Zach Morris, Tucker and Levi White, and Jackson Morris. He has one brother, Gene Gay, and sister, Anne Gay Head. Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents, William Lloyd Gay, Sr. and Olliemae Sanderlin Gay; and infant great-granddaughter, Chrislee Gay. A celebration of life will be held at Central Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia, on Saturday, November 6, at 11:00 AM. Dr. Bryan Myers and Reverend Hugh DeLoach will officiate. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at 3:00 PM, at Shiloh Baptist Church in Fort Gaines, Georgia.The family wishes to extend gratitude to all caregivers, including Pauline Luster, Clara Luster, Evelyn Floyd, Pat Fulford, Roslyn Adams, Aaliyah McGhee, and Teresa Gay. The family requests that memorials be made to Central Baptist Church, 190 Upper River Road, Americus, GA 31709; or any charity of your choice. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for William Lloyd Gay, Jr.