William "Bill" Elwood Rayburn

Mr. Rayburn was born January 10, 1922 in Polk County Florida the son of the late Clarence and Buleah Rayburn. He graduated from High School in Pavo, Georgia and then attended Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, Georgia. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia. He then received his Masters of Education from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Mr. Rayburn was the devoted husband of the late Mary Elizabeth Rayburn. His teaching career started in Irwin County for two years and then Dodge County for eight years. He finally retired from Glynn County Board of Education after twenty-nine years of employment. His professionalism and years of devoted service was recognized when he was elected an Honorary Georgia Future Farmers Association Planter. He also received the Georgia Adult Educator Award in 1983. Mr. Rayburn was a member of the Brunswick Jaycees and the Brunswick Exchange Club. He was also a Mason in both Eastman and Brunswick. He was instrumental in moving the Nursing Program to Brunswick Junior College from the Adult Education Program.

Mr. Rayburn was the CEO of Marshland Credit Union for thirty-seven years and one of the founding fathers of Glynn Teachers Federal Credit Union which is now Marshland Credit Union. The Marshland Credit Union, Community Road Branch is named in honor Of William “Bill” Rayburn.

Mr. Rayburn was a faithful member of Zebulon Baptist Church and then the First Baptist Church in Brunswick, Georgia. He proudly served as a Deacon Board member for both churches. He also was the department Director of the Youth Organization at the First Baptist church.

Mr. Rayburn was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Buleah Rayburn; his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Rayburn; a son, William Elwood Rayburn Jr; three brothers, Clarence Rayburn Jr, Wallace Rayburn, and Carl Rayburn. He is survived by two sons, Wayne B. Rayburn (Carolyn) of Lilburn, GA, Don A. Rayburn of Brunswick, GA; his daughter, Patricia R. Rountree (Larry) of Brunswick, GA; one grandson, William Stuart Rayburn of Augusta, GA; a granddaughter, Katherine Celeste “K.C.” Lloyd of Cumming, GA; four great grandchildren, Ansley Lloyd, Conner Lloyd, William Rayburn, and John Banks Rayburn. One sister, Betty Peters of Thomasville, GA also survives.

Mr. Rayburn loved to spend time with his family and friends. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing. He was also a motorhome enthusiast touring the United States, Canada, and several regions in Europe. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. His family will have many fond memories to cherish for years to come.

The family will receive friends during the hours of 5:30 – 7:30 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick. The family cordially invites you to help them celebrate William Elwood Rayburn’s life at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Brunswick, GA. Reverend Jim Crandall will officiate the service. The interment will follow the service in Chapel Park Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers serving during the service will be Mike Rayburn, Jeff Rayburn, Walter Portier, Jimmy Grubb, Stuart Mitchell, and Buddy Portier.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Exchange Club Members, Marshland Credit Union Officers and Board Members, and Glynn Academy Agriculture Class Members of 1954 – 1970.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Visiting Angels for the outstanding care they gave to Mr. Rayburn. The family also expresses a special thank you to “Lorie” for the devotion and loving care she gave.

Memorial contributions may be made in William Elwood Rayburn’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the First Baptist Church of Brunswick.

Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com