James Exley

James William J.W. Exley, Jr. -CLYO - James William J.W. Exley, Jr., 80, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his family. The Effingham County native was the owner and operator of J.W. Exley Lumber Company, founder of Riverfield Sales, INC. and Riverfield Rentals, INC. He was the Past Master of Clyo Masonic Lodge #280 F. & A.M., honorary GA State Trooper, honorary member of the Augusta Golf Associaton, and lifelong musician whose greatest honor was to have performed on the Grand Ole Opry. He was the winning pitcher of the State-C Championship in 1949 for Effingham Academy. J Bird, as he was affectionately known, will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and business associates, whom he entertained at Wednesday afternoon golf outings for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, James William Jimmy Exley and Ruby Valarie Wilson Exley; and sister, Willie Marian Hodges. Survivors include his soulmate of 32 years, Diane S. Lee of Clyo; children, J.W. Bill Exley, III (Sue) of Springfield and Donald Carlyle Exley (Suellen) of Clyo; sisters, Wanita Exley Rahn (Reiser) of Clyo and Brenda Exley Nease (Mac) of Atlanta; grandchildren, James William Jim Exley, IV, (Becky) of Alpharetta, Rhett Nease Exley (Nichole) of Cumming, Donald Carlyle Chip Exley, Jr., Emmaline Marie Exley, and Miles Ellison Exley all of Clyo; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Ally, Emery, and Briggs; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. in the chapel. Remembrances may be given to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416. Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home Effingham Chapel 912-754-6421 Savannah Morning News March 1, 2013 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.