Al was born March 9, 1932, in Dublin, Georgia, to Sarah Sherman Smith Sawyer and William Alvin
Sawyer. He graduated Dublin High School in 1950, having played football for the Dublin Fighting Irish, (keeping in touch with classmates all along), participating in other sports and government, he was remembered for his smile.
While at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Al enjoyed playing in the intramural football games. After graduating North Georgia College, in 1952, he went on to Mercer University in Macon, pledging Kappa Sigma fraternity. After graduation, in 1954, he entered the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, serving for two years, earning the rank of lieutenant.
After his service in the military, Al went to work for the Southern Railroad in Macon, Georgia, transferring with the railroad to Brunswick, Georgia. Al could not have been happier with this transfer, as he had always loved St. Simons Island, coming here with family, friends and his church youth group over the years. He spent his first night in Glynn County at the Oglethorpe Hotel in downtown Brunswick, the next day moving to St. Simons.
Al had majored in economics at Mercer, and wanted to open his own insurance agency. He did this, and later ventured into real estate and property management, forming Village Realty and Insurance Agency, Inc. He was the developer, and along with five other men, built the first ocean-front condominiums in the state of Georgia, on St. Simons Island.
Al was a member of St. Simons First Baptist Church for fifty-nine years, serving as Sunday School teacher, deacon, and usher, until health issues prevented him from doing so. Al was a silent servant, giving of his time to those who needed him. He was also a member of the St. Simons Optimist Club where he held various offices, including president. He was also a member of the American Legion Guale Chapter 166, also on St. Simons Island. He was elected to different levels of offices and managed the rental of the post facility. Al enjoyed fishing,golfing, playing solitaire and watching the Georgia Bulldogs play football, and loved to attend the Georgia/Florida games in Jacksonville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Kathryn Ola Sawyer Willis, formerly of Dublin.
Al is survived by his wife, Marie Johns Sawyer, of St. Simons Island; his daughter, Mary Sawyer Carlson (husband, Eli) and his son, Joseph Kent Sawyer, all of Peachtree City; his grandsons, Ian Carlson of Louisville Kentucky, and Luke Carlson of Peachtree City. Also surviving are his niece, Sally Willis Daniels (husband, John) of Dublin and nephew, Bert Willis (wife, Shirley) of Indio, California; nieces, Winnie Marie Skarpalezos, of St. Simons Island, Allye Leggett Hammond (husband, Kerry), and Allye's daughter, Brianna Herrington, all of Brunswick, and his nephew, George Skarpalezos II, of St. Simons Island. Other survivors are his mother-in-law, Barbara Wilson Johns, of Nahunta, sister-in-law, Ileen Johns Skarpalezos of St. Simons Island, brother-in-law, Robert A. “Bobby” Willis, of Dublin, former wife and mother of his children, Louise Kent Kammerer of Peachtree City. two special pets Tabby and Tally. Al has many cousins as well as countless friends who remember him fondly.
A memorial service for Al is to be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, the 18th of August 2018 at the First Baptist Church, 729 Ocean Blvd., in St. Simons Island.
Honorary Pallbearers: The St. Simons Island Optimist Club, American Legion Guale Post 166 of St. Simons, the Builders Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, St. Simons Island.
The family has requested that in lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church. 729 Ocean Blvd. St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
