Wilbur Ollian Maney, 94, passed away peacefully July 26, 2022, at home in Covington, where he had lived with his daughter, Debra, for almost four years.
Wilbur, known to family and friends as Bill Maney, was born Nov. 13, 1927, in Hiawassee, he was the son of the late Ora and Marlor Maney. In addition to his parents, Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Ouida; their oldest daughter, Carol; and his older sister, Mazelle Hedden. He was the middle child of two sisters, Mazelle and Roberta.
He graduated from Berry College, served three years in the Air Force, and then graduated from the University of Georgia to eventually became the County Extension Agent of Rabun County for 25 years.
He was married to Ouida Lilly Brackin in San Angelo, Texas, on Nov. 20, 1953. They returned to Georgia in 1954, and eventually settled in Dillard for 27 years. Bill was known in the county for his hunting dogs, beekeeping, and work with hundreds of kids in 4-H. He did a weekly radio show on farming and gardening advances and how-to segments, and he helped farmers day or night in surrounding counties as well as Rabun.
Following his retirement, Wilbur and his family moved to Tignall for the next 25 years, during which he was a substitute teacher and became active in the local chapter of the SAR. They moved to Locust Grove in 2012, and several years following Ouida’s death in 2016, Wilbur moved to Covington to live with his daughter, Debra, and her family.
He is survived by his younger sister, Roberta Copeland, of Hiawassee; his three children and their spouses, Billy (Judy), Deb (Greg) and Ruth (Dennis); nine grandsons; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church of Covington, located at 7037 GA-212, Covington, GA 30016. The graveside service friends and family welcome -- will take place at the cemetery, located behind Tignall Baptist Church and the Post Office, between Spring and E. Cemetery Streets, Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 170 S Hulin Ave, Hwy 17, Tignall, GA 30668.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be sent to the mission fund, Proverbs 22: Partners in Education, of Zion Baptist Church, or to the Gideon’s International, Wilkes Lincoln Camp, 123 West Sheraton Dr., Washington, GA 30673. Wilbur was a member of The Gideons for 60+ years, but both missions were very dear to him.
The Clayton Tribune
August 4, 2022