Julian Battle

Julian Wayne Battle - WADLEY - Julian Wayne Battle, 81, of St. Charles Street, Wadley, GA, died at his residence on Monday, March 16, following a courageous battle with ALS. A native and life-long resident of Wadley, Mr. Battle was born on February 1, 1934, the son of the late Julian H. Battle and Annie May Battle. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wadley, where he served as a trustee and a member of the Administrative Board. He was the founder, owner, and president of Battle Lumber Company, where he devoted over 50 years of his life to building his company for his children and grandchildren. He was a founder and past Board Chairman for both Bartow Academy and Thomas Jefferson Academy, where he was an avid supporter of their academic and athletic programs. Mr. Battle was a past member of the Wadley City Council and past president of the Wadley Jaycees. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Wadley as well as the Queensborough National Bank Holding Company. He was an avid collector of antique cars, and he enjoyed traveling to Daytona Beach, FL, Lake Toxaway, NC, and Clark Hill Lake. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 60 years, Rebecca Anglin Battle; his sister, Joanne Blount (Bill), of Canton, GA; his three children: Teresa Battle Miller (Craig), Tommy Battle (Rita), and Laura Battle Swan (Bob), all of Wadley; ten grandchildren: Becky Miller Pryor (Charles) of Americus, Kristin Miller Dale (Johnny) of Wadley, Mary Beth Miller of Atlanta; Thomas Battle (Mandy), Drew Battle, and Katelyn Battle, all of Wadley; Rob Swan, Matt Swan, Jon Swan, and Annie Swan, all of Wadley; five great-grandchildren: Miller Anne Pryor and Shep Pryor of Americus; Michael Dale and Georganna Dale and Sara Thomas Battle all of Wadley; and a nephew, Joel Payne (Lynn) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Wadley. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at First United Methodist Church of Wadley. Burial will follow at Wadley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Battle, Drew Battle, Rob Swan, Matt Swan, Jon Swan, Charles Pryor, Johnny Dale, and Michael Coccia. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Men of the First United Methodist Church of Wadley along with Timmy Beckworth, David Brantley, Don Bray, Bobby Brett, Andy Calhoun, Jack Cooper, Harry Gilmore, James Hall, Nathaniel Hall, Billy Lamb, Rusty Logue, Tim Lumpkin, Paul McDaniel, Jeff Miller, Olin Netherland, Paul Purvis, George Rachels, Chris Rountree, and Anthony Strowbridge. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Wadley, P.O. Box 99, Wadley, GA 30477, or to Thomas Jefferson Academy, 2264 U.S. Hwy 1, North, Louisville, GA 30434. Smith Funeral Home Wadley, GA Savannah Morning News March 19, 2015 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.