William Clayton MIZE

Family-Placed Death Notice

MIZE, William Clayton William (Willie) Mize, 61, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 23, 2012, in Phenix City, AL, where he resided for the past several years. Born in Richland, GA, Willie moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University where he earned a B.F.A. in painting in 1973. He then pursued a M.F.A. in painting at University of Iowa in 1 976. Later, he returned to Atlanta and taught drawing at the American College of Art. He was one of the original studio artists that formed Nexus Studio and Gallery, a creative force in the Atlanta art scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He was a creative and productive painter who participated in many art shows and his work was displayed in various galleries across the southeast. His love of painting was matched by his passion for fly-fishing, with many trips to the rivers in the Georgia mountains and to the Gulf of Mexico. He was renowned for his collection of fine fly-fishing gear and garnered great joy in tinkering with his equipment. A great day for Willie was a day on the water! Known as Billy to his family, he is survived by his sister, Wanda Dodson, Phenix City, AL, and two brothers, Gerry Mize, St. Simons Island, GA, and Brian Mize, Louisville, KY; along with four nieces and a nephew, Kimberly, Susannah, Ansleigh, Emily, and Steve; and life-long friend, Paul Nahoom, Lloyd, FL. He was predeceased by his parents: Herbert Mize and Christine Smith. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Friendship Baptist Church, 4008 Old Opelika Rd., Phenix City, AL 36869, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at 2 pm. EST. For details, contact Wanda Dodson, (334) 408-9216.