William Edward Ridley Jr.

Ret. Colonel William Edward Ridley, Jr. -CORAL SPRINGS, FL - Ret. Colonel William Edward "Bill" Ridley, Jr., age 63 of Clarkesville, Batesville Community, formerly of Decatur, died Monday, July 5, 2004, at his residence following a sudden illness. -Born in Pike County on May 04, 1941, he was the son of the late William Edward Ridley, Sr. and Spence and Pauline Pettett Ridley McDonald. Graduating from Griffin High School, Col. Ridley held a B.F.A. degree from The University of Georgia. He was a U. S. AIR Force Veteran having served during Vietnam. He served for 33 years as a full-time Employee of The Georgia Air National Guard and retired as Chief oF Intelligence of the 116TH TFW at Dobbins Air Force Base. He was a member of Cornelia United Methodist Church and a former member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur for 35 years. He was preceded in death by Sister, Louise Ridley Jones. -Surviving are wife, Betty C. Ridley of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Katherine (Ridley) and Michael Morris of Coral Springs, FL; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen William and Eleanor Ridley of Lilburn; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald E. and Betty Jones of Griffin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lynn and Gerry Thompson of FT. Lauderdale; grandchildren, Lauren Morris, Rachel Morris, William Ridley and Thomas Ridley; nephews, Gene Jones, Mitchell Jones, Ed Jones, Jeff Jones, Mark Jones and Jeff Thompson and families; niece, Susan Washburn and family; and a host of cousins. -The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00P.M. on Wednesday at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. -Funeral services are 2:P.M. Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur with Rev. David Hancock and Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:00P.M. until the funeral hour and the family will be gathered in the church parlor to receive friends. -Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Cornelia United Methodist Church; 275 Wyly Street; Cornelia, GA 30531 or to Oak Grove United Methodist Church; 1722 Oak Grove Road; Decatur, GA 30033. Condolences to the family may be sent to Them at:mgsfh@hotmail.com.