Julian Bartow Willingham

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Julian Bartow Willingham, a life-long resident of Augusta, Georgia, died after an extended illness on March 18, 2010 in hospice at Trinity Hospital. Born on July 9, 1922, he was the son of Julian James Willingham and Mary Ida Stanton. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia (B.S. Physics, 1943, Phi Beta Kappa) and was a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law (magna cum laude, Gridiron Society, 1949). He served four years in the military as an officer (Captain) during World War II, including service in India and the Mediterranean, and was recalled to service in 1951 in the JAG Corps at the Pentagon. For thirty years, he practiced law in Augusta with his father's firm (then Hull, Willingham, Towill & Norman) and in his own practice (Willingham & Houston). In 1977, he was appointed Administrative Law Judge for the Georgia Workers Compensation Board and served in that capacity for ten years. Mr. Willingham was an active supporter of Augusta's cultural, business, religious, political and educational institutions. He served as President of the Augusta Bar Association, the Augusta Symphony, and the Augusta Players. He served on the board of Paine College, the CSRA Blood Assurance Plan, St. John Towers, Young Harris College, and the Salvation Army, and was a long time representative and supporter of the United Nations in the Augusta area. Mr. Willingham served on the Board of Stewards of St. John United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school there for many years. In 2000, he joined his wife in membership at the Church of the Good Shepherd. His broad interests led him to initiate, with friends, opening of The Book Corner at Daniel Village. He spent many years developing his beloved Stufield, a property near Clark Hill, which served as a rustic family retreat. Mr. Willingham is survived by his wife of sixty years, Allen Cutts Willingham, his sons, Julian B. Willingham, Jr. (Sheri) of Melbourne, Florida and Allen S. C. Willingham (Susan) of Atlanta, his daughters, Mary W. Wettrich (Myron) of Atlanta, Pamela W. Harrison (Jeff) of Augusta and Elizabeth W. Willingham (Michael Selig) of Arlington, Virginia, and by nine grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 21st, at 2:00 P.M., at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude for the kind and thoughtful care given him by the aides, nurses and entire staff of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Memorials may be made to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com