William Newton Hudson

William Newton (Newt) Hudson
Dec. 12,1926 - Aug. 12, 2014
Rochelle, GA- William Newton (Newt) Hudson died August 12, 2014, at his home in Rochelle, Georgia, with his family at his side.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14, at 2 P.M. in the Rochelle United Methodist Church with Reverend Nancylee Cater officiating and assisted by Reverend James Faircloth . His oldest grandson, Scott Hudson, will give the eulogy. Interment will follow at the Frank Cemetery in Ocilla, Georgia, at 4 P.M. The family will receive friends from 9:30 A.M until 12:00 noon at the W. N. (Newt) Hudson Agricultural Center, on Thursday morning, prior to the funeral service.
Mr. Hudson was born December 12, 1926, in Ocilla, GA, to the late Dudley D. Hudson and Ella Frances Williams Hudson. In 1944, prior to his high school graduation, he left school and joined the Navy. He served in the South Pacific for 18 months during World War II. After the war, he returned to and graduated from Irwin County High School. After his high school graduation in 1947, he also graduated from ABAC and was a 1950 Honor graduate of the University of Georgia.
After his college graduation, Mr. Hudson taught classes to World War II Veterans in Irwinville. He accepted his first Extension job in Gwinnett County and later served Colquitt County as assistant County Agent. In 1955, he accepted the position of Extension Agent for Wilcox County, where he served for 28 years. After his retirement, Mr. Hudson was elected to the State Legislature and served in the State House of Representatives for 20 years, serving as co-chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Co-Chairman of the Health and Ecology Committee, Chairman of the Industry and Trade Committee, Vice Chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee, and also served on the Appropriations Committee. During his tenure as State Representative, Mr. Hudson worked tirelessly for the people of his district and was instrumental in passing significant educational, agricultural and industrial legislation that benefited southern Georgia.
Mr. Hudson was a long time member of Rochelle United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge, Rochelle Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, and member of American Legion #71. He also served on numerous boards within the community, the Colony Bank Board, Middle GA EMC Board, and the Wilcox County Fish and Game Board. Mr. Hudson was an avid huntsman and fisherman and loved growing pecans. He greatly enjoyed the beauty of nature and spending time on his farm, along with a deep love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife, Gayle Davis Hudson, Rochelle; son, Randy and Mary Jo Hudson, Ocilla; daughter, Dixie Hudson, Rochelle; daughter, Suzanne and Bobby Conner, Ocilla; Six grandsons and one granddaughter, Scott Hudson, Ocilla; Casey Conner (Holly), Ocilla; Shane Hudson (Whitney), Tifton; Wesley Conner, Ocilla; Bo Dukes (Emily); Jake Dukes, Atlanta; and Randi Conner, New York, NY; Two great grandsons and three great granddaughters, Nate Hudson, Miles Hudson, Addison Conner, Avery Conner, and Hadley Hudson; One sister, Beverly Hudson Bauerband, Boynton Beach, FL; One "Bonus" son, John Rycroft, Fitzgerald; one "Bonus" daughter, Andrea and Roger Sutton, Fitzgerald; "Bonus" grandchildren, Rhett Rycroft, Rylee Rycroft, Rob Rycroft, Raegan Rycroft, and Sophie Sutton.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Hudson was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Gracie Dix Hudson. Six brothers, Wilson Hudson, Ted Hudson, Homer D. Hudson, Randall Hudson, Milton Hudson and J. W. Hudson also preceded him in death.
His beloved grandchildren will serve as their grandfather's pallbearers.
Frazier and Son Funeral Home in Rochelle is in charge of arrangements.