Willoughby Burley "Bill" Shedd

A native of Monticello, S.C., Shedd was the son of the late Thomas Willoughby Shedd and Mary McGill Shedd and a class of 1953 graduate of Clemson University, where he earned a B.S. in textile manufacturing.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1958, being discharged with the rank of Captain and rose to the rank of Major while serving in the USAF Reserves from 1958-1962.

Shedd spent his entire business career with Milliken & Company, working at several facilities in South Carolina before coming to LaGrange in 1979. For nearly two decades he was general manager of the Specialty Industrial Business, one of the company’s most successful enterprises. Shedd retired from Milliken in 1999 with 44 years of service. He served a term as president of the Georgia Textile Education Foundation and was a director of the Georgia Textile Manufacturers Association.

He was a member of LaGrange First United Methodist Church, where he had served as a trustee, church council member and as president and treasurer of Builders Sunday School Class. A life-long supporter of Clemson athletics, Shedd was a continuous member of IPTAY and a football season ticket holder for 57 years, served as a director of IPTAY and as a LaGrange Representative.

During his productive retirement, he served as member and vice chairman of the LaGrange Academy board and as president and director of Highland Country Club. He was treasurer of Twin Cedars Youth Services board and a member of the LaGrange College Council. Shedd volunteered in the community through United Way, Special Olympics and as a coach with the Troup County Parks and Recreation Department. He helped with a Habitat for Humanity build and was affiliated with Troup County Master Gardeners Association.

Shedd’s heart was full of pride and love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Laura Shedd, of LaGrange; six children and their spouses: Burley and Robin Shedd of Mobile, Ala., Susan and Earle Whittington of Decatur, Betsy and Jerry White of Metairie, La., Sally and Ed Garner of Lexington, S.C., Beth Shedd of Decatur and Allison Shedd of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren, Ben and Jonathan Whittington, Kevin and Libby White, Anna and Leigh Garner; the mother of his first four children, Isabel Alexander of Anderson, S.C.; and a sister and her husband, Mary and Harold Pitts of Greensboro, N.C.

The memorial service will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 21, 2011 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Harold Lawrence officiating.

The family will be at their home and will receive friends immediately following the memorial service at the church.

Those desiring may contribute to LaGrange First United Methodist Church, West Georgia Hospice or Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, Md. 21093-9923.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636 www.shlagrange.com