Willis Fernell Booth

Taylor Funeral Home of Louisville announces the death and services of Mr. Willis Fernell Booth, who died March 24, 2026.

Mr. Booth was born December 5, 1934, to Ollie Mae Smith and Tillman Walstein Booth in a log cabin in Manor, Ware County, GA. He grew up on a farm ten miles from where he was born. He raised 4-H steers, showing them and working turpentine trees all while going to school and becoming valedictorian of his class at Manor High School.

He graduated with a BS degree in forestry from UGA in 1956 and enjoyed Homecoming until he could no longer attend.

Fernell and Lorna Waldrop Married in June 1959 in Rincon GA. They lived in Darien, GA, where he was a member and president of the JC's, member of the Lions Club, and Darien Baptist Church. Children, John and Claire, were born during those years.

In Oct 1966, Ferrell was transferred to Louisville and in 1967 the family was able to move there. It has been home ever since! He has been a member of First Baptist Church, the T. W. Wilson Sunday School class, the Sanctuary Choir, and a Deacon.

Fernell served as a clerk/typist for 6 ½ years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He worked for Union Camp Corp. in Savannah from 1956-1959 when he was transferred to Darien, GA, for 8 years. He moved to Louisville in1966 and retired there in 1996. He was a timber buyer for the company and enjoyed making friends with people all over this area and many counties around.

Fernell was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Booth; sister, Lou Tate (Ray); brothers, Tillman Booth (Sara), and Bill Booth (Peggy) and is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorna, and daughter, Claire Booth Little (Dwain), a daughter-in-law, Christine O’Connor Booth, 3 grandchildren: Ethan Booth, Isabelle Booth Jaffe (Zach), and Hannah Booth (Dylan Baugher), and brother, Donald Booth.

Visitation will be held from 2:30-3:45 PM Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the First Baptist Church, with a funeral service following at 4:00 PM. Jonathan Melchior and Bill Smith will officiate with Dale Williams, Harold Thompson, Daniel Kurtz, Mike McDowell, Ben Miller, and John Hale serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Jefferson County Historical Society, P. O. Box 491, Louisville, GA, 30434.

You may sign the family’s guestbook at taylorfhlouisville.com

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