Dr. Will R. Getz

1942 - 2015

Dr. Will R. Getz
Fort Valley, GA- Dr. Will R. Getz, 73, died Monday, July 20, 2015. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on July 10, 1942 to Roger W. and Genevieve (Jesson) Getz. Will accompanied his parents to the mission field in Burma. In 1951, Will moved with his family to Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma where his father was president. Will graduated from high school in Muskogee, and then received his Associate Degree from Bacone College. He continued his education at Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education and Animal Science. Will followed in his father's footsteps by attending Ohio State University where he received his Master's degree and his PhD. in Animal Breeding and Quantitative Genetics.
While at Ohio State, Will met Elizabeth Shough and she became his wife on August 31, 1968. Together they began their service to others in Tanzania where Will served as national livestock breeding research officer and animal husbandry teacher for extension professionals. During this time, their two children, Michael and Natalie were born. Upon return to the United States, Will became a professor at North Carolina A&T. For 15 years, he was associated with Winrock International Livestock Research and Training Center in Morrilton, Arkansas. In 1997, Will began work in the animal extension, research and teaching program at Fort Valley State University. A major part of his career focused on international animal agriculture taking him to more than 30 countries.
Will had a lifelong love of running which he shared with his daughter. During his free time, Will could be found on his farm in Georgia, assisted by his son, tending his sheep and goats. Will received great joy making a difference in the lives of farmers, both locally and internationally, by teaching them techniques that would invest in their futures.
Family was important to Will as evidenced by his determination to plan and attend the family reunion of his brothers and sister and their families in Oklahoma ten days before his death.
Survivors include his wife Elizabeth (Liz), his son Michael of Ft. Valley, his daughter Natalie Buckwalter and her husband, Andrew of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, grandsons Bryce, Graham, and Hudson; brothers Jack, Bob and Stephen Getz; sister Ellen Ellis.
A memorial service will be held in Springfield, Ohio on July 26, 2015. A service will be held at Fort Valley United Methodist Church, 301 West Church Street in Fort Valley, at 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2015 with a reception to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Bacone College, 2299 Old Bacone Road, Muskogee, OK 74403 or Fort Valley United Methodist Church, 301 W. Church St., Fort Valley, GA 31030. Family will remain at 3594 GA Hwy 96 West in Fort Valley. Rooks Funeral Home in Fort Valley is in charge of arrangements.