Don Handberry

Mr. William Donald Handberry, Sr., 70, of Louisville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 25, 2015.  A Louisville native, he was the only child of the late Mary Elizabeth and Clarence Felton Handberry.  After graduating from Louisville Academy, Don attended the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the Terry College of Business. While pursuing his degree, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie Pinkston Jones, on September 16, 1967.
      He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Louisville. As an active member of the church, he served in many capacities. Past positions include:  active Deacon for over 30 years, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, member of the Board of Trustees, Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Pastor Search Committee.  In addition to being a faithful servant of the Lord, Don was committed to the advancement of his local community.  He was a member of the Louisville Kiwanis Club for over 20 years, where he served as past President.  Don was Chairman of Louisville's Downtown Development Authority, which is charged with the mission of helping local businesses prosper.  He also honorably served his country in the Georgia National Guard.
       Don first began his 42-year insurance career in Augusta as a Lincoln National Life insurance agent. In 1982, he became the business owner of W. D. Handberry Insurance, Inc., affiliated with Cotton States, now Country Financial.   During this time, he earned numerous distinctions and awards such as Agent of the Year. He continued to own and operate this agency until his passing.
     Don's greatest joy in life was being with his family who adored him and whom he loved immensely. As his family's cornerstone, he left a lasting legacy. He led by Christian example and embodied various "Fruit of the Spirit" qualities such as kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who greatly enjoyed doting on those he cherished.  Don's grandchildren and closest friends affectionately called him "Duck", but to his wife and children, he will always be "Daddy".  
     His survivors include:  his beloved wife of nearly 48 years, Marie Pinkston Jones Handberry; his son William Donald Handberry, Jr. and his wife Casey Pritchett Handberry and their sons William Donald Handberry, III, Elijah Reynolds Handberry, and Edward Jones Handberry, all of Macon; his daughter Marie Handberry Weldon and her husband William Amos Weldon, Jr. and their daughters Katherine Maguire Weldon, Carolyn Theresa Weldon, and Allison Marie Weldon, all of Watkinsville; and his daughter Chapman Handberry Godwin and her husband William Adams Godwin and their daughters Chapman Pinkston Godwin and Gainer Adams Godwin, all of Augusta.  Additional survivors are his sister-in-law Jan Jones McElreath and her husband Benjamin Farris McElreath, of Augusta, and their children Benjamin F. McElreath, Jr. and his wife Carrie Haskins McElreath and their children, of Macon, and Samuel Alexander McElreath and his wife Cameron Stone McElreath and their children, of Athens.
     Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, in the First Baptist Church of Louisville, with Church Pastor Rev. Jonathan Witt officiating, assisted by Dr. Gary Redding and Rev. William Cain. Interment will follow in the Louisville City Cemetery.
     Active pallbearers will be:  Robby Brett, "Chip" Evans, Ron Livingston, Benjamin McElreath, Jr. and Sam McElreath, and David Polhill. Honorary pallbearers include:  Deacons of the First Baptist Church of Louisville, Don Bray, Roger Burge, Sam Clark, Jr., Joe Culvern, Clark Evans, Wiley Evans, Joe Gore, Larry Hodges, A.P. Jones, Johnny Jones, Jr., Walter Jones, Tom Jordan, Mitchell McGraw, Sam Pennington, Jim Polhill, Phil Prichard, members of the Louisville A.R.P. Men's Bible Study, and members of the Popeye's Breakfast Club.
     Friends and family are invited to a visitation at Taylor Funeral Home in Louisville between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
     Memorials may be made to the Elevator Fund or to the Kitchen Renovation Fund of the First Baptist Church of Louisville, 101 East Ninth Street, Louisville, GA 30434.
     Taylor Funeral Home, 401 West 8th street, Louisville, is in charge of arrangements.

---

 Service Information