Clayton “Buddy” McWilliams, Jr., age 75, died Friday, May 27, 2011 at his home in Madison surrounded by his family.
He was born November 27, 1935, to Clayton and Selma Stanley McWilliams. He graduated from Madison High School in 1953 and from South Georgia Junior College in 1955. He was a true Georgia Bulldog, having graduated from the University of Georgia in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Since 1984 he was in the Real Estate business as a Real Estate broker and Real Estate appraiser. Before that, he was the Standard Oil Distributor for Madison County, served as an Administrative Assistant in Gov. Claude Kirk’s Office and was a sales rep Britannica Films before opening a Sears Catalog Store in Madison. After selling the Sears Store, he opened a real estate agency where he continued to work until shortly before he succumbed to cancer.
He was a member of First Baptist church in Madison where he served as a deacon and as a member of the finance committee. He was a member of the Madison Country Club and loved playing golf. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Georgia. He served on the Madison City Commission for several years, and during his term as mayor he was instrumental in getting many streets in Madison paved. He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years Jean Phillips McWilliams. He is also survived by his son Clayton McWilliams, III of Madison, and his daughter Linda McWilliams Luke of Darien, Georgia, by his grandchildren Carley Luke and Jake Luke of Darien, Georgia, and by his Brother Larry McWilliams of Muncie, Indiana. Other survivors include his father-in-law and step-mother-in-law Jake and Judy Phillips, and two dear friends Vickie O’Quinn and Ron Boyer. He was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Selma Stanley McWilliams and his mother-in-law Edna Phillips.
The family will receive friends Monday, May 30, from 5:00 until 7:00 at Beggs Funeral Home in Madison. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church, Madison.
For those wishing to make memorial donations, these may be made to the 1898 Sanctuary/Willie Clair Copeland Memorial Fund of Madison First Baptist Church, Madison Academy or Big Bend Hospice.
Beggs Funeral Home Madison is in charge of arrangements (850-973-2258).
