William Ernest Wainwright

2 Timothy 4:7-8 states, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

On January 3, 2026, William Wainwright finished the fight here on earth surrounded by his loving family and entered the gates of Heaven to begin his eternal life. There he joined loved ones that passed before him.

Funeral services for William will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in the chapel of Way-Watson Funeral Home with Bro. Troy Fripp officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 PM. The family will also receive friends following the service at Shema Baptist Church.

William Ernest Wainwright was born November 6, 1951, to the late Mary Ruth Alston Wainwright. He was the second born of two boys. William and his brother, the late Joe Alston, had a bond that only brothers could have. He also had a love for his mother that was seen all through the years. Just as she cared for William as a child growing up, he became her caregiver as she became older.

William Wainwright and his first wife, Sharon, were blessed with two children, Michael (wife Tammi) and Dawn (husband Kyle). Although life took them in different directions, they remained friends through the years. Michael and Dawn then blessed William with grandchildren that he loved with all his heart— Amanda, Patience (David), Michael, Marie, Tyler (Mara), Ashanti, Reese, Gabby, Ray, Alia, Kevin, Kylie; He also had 7 great-grandchildren that he adored.

William fell in love again when he met Kathryn Bell, his “all time woman.” They were married on May 16, 2015. They were married 9 years before her passing. He gained two children with this marriage, Cecil Bell (wife Laura) and Alisa Martin (husband Adam). He was blessed with more grandchildren—Zoe, Cole, Jordan, and A.J.

William mostly enjoyed spending time with his family. Some of his greatest memories are times spent with his family to include some trips. On these trips, he enjoyed hiking, riding his bicycle, enjoying the mountain views, and even once rode the waves on a boogie board. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was gardening, fishing, hunting, or just sitting outside. He was an avid DIY’er and always had some sort of project going on. Most of his work career, he worked as a long-haul trucker. William was a devoted Christian who was a member of Shema Baptist Church. Until his and his wife's health began to fail, they attended church regularly and would sit on the front row praising God every chance that they could. He did not have a favorite Bible verse but liked to learn a lot in the Old Testament. Although William is no longer with us here on earth, we know that one day we will be with him again according to Psalm 23:6, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Shema Baptist Church, P.O. Box 486, Ellaville, GA 31806 or the charity of your choice.