Benjie Leaptrott

Taylor Funeral Home of Louisville announces the death and services of Mr. Benjie Green Leaptrott, age 88, Hwy 78, Wadley, who died Saturday, November 7, 2026, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in the Wadley Baptist Church with Mr. Charles Hendricks and Rev. David Brown officiating. Proudly serving as pallbearers will be Nick Mitchell, Gabe Hendricks, Sam Hendricks, Jeff Partridge, Jamie Wheeler, TjBoux Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Ware, Skeet Deriso and the Ingles AM Coffee Club. Burial will follow in the family plot of the Wadley City Cemetery.

A native of Wadley, Benjie was a son of the late Wiley Bennett Leaptrott and Rheba Volena Green Leaptrott. He was a 1956 graduate of Wadley High School, a golden glove boxer in the National Guard, and a lifelong softball player. Benjie loved nature, animals, and loved having goats and chickens. He also loved to fish more than anything and was known as, “The Ogeechee River King”. He could always be found sitting around, telling Tall Tales with Gary Ware. Benjie retired after many years of service as a Quality Control Inspector with Trane Technologies/ Thermo King. After retiring, he was a part-time associate with Taylor Funeral Home, always displaying love, compassion, and care. Benjie loved his Lord and Savior and was a member of Wadley Baptist Church, where he had perfect Sunday School attendance for more than 20 years. He had also served as the Sunday School director, taught Sunday School, was Bible School Secretary, and served as a deacon. Everyone knew Benjie as a true Southern Gentleman. More than anything, Benjie loved his family, and his greatest pastime was spending time with them.

Benjie was preceded in death by his parents, beloved granddaughter, Kristen Mitchell, two brother in-laws, James Wheeler and Chantless Wheeler, and is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Wheeler Leaptrott, daughters, Amy (Dave) Shanks of Reno, NV, Tina (Jim) Mitchell of Cleveland, GA, Tosha (Charles) Hendricks of Wadley, GA, grandsons Nick Mitchell of Cleveland, GA. William (Tinley) Hendricks of Waynesboro, GA, Gabe Hendricks of Avera, GA, Sam Hendricks of Tennille, GA, sisters, Peggie Johnson of Swainsboro, GA, Wanda (Larry) London of Wadley, GA, sister in-laws, Jeanie Wheeler of Bartow, GA, and Brandy Wheeler of Louisville, GA, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday November 9, 2026, at the funeral home.

Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Louisville is in charge of arrangements.