William Emory Melton

The Evans County native was a graduate of Nevils High School and lived most of his life in Statesboro. Emory began working at Smith-Tillman Mortuary in 1952 and graduated Cincinnati School of Embalming in 1958 and was currently employed with Hodges-Moore Funeral Home. Emory served in the United States Army during the Korean War, serving in the Medical Corps and was active in the Boy Scouts, serving as Scout Master of Troop 342 for 25 years and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1973. He was the first licensed EMT in Bulloch County, helped organize the first Rescue Unit in Bulloch County and volunteered with the Statesboro Fire Department for more than 45 years and was one of the original members of the Fire Department’s CAFÉ Unit. Emory was also an avid blood donor, giving many gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He received the 1983 Distinguished Service Award from the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro, the 1986 Man of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Statesboro, and received the Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award in 1993.

Emory is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vilette Hursey Melton of Statesboro, sons, Emerson Melton and his wife, Jan and Darrel Melton and his wife, Sherri all of Statesboro, sister, Marie Smith and her husband, Bob of Villa Rica, GA, grandchildren, Emily Gibson and her husband, Wayne of Colorado Springs, Co; Tyler Melton of Brunswick and Mitchell Melton of Statesboro; 2 great-grandchildren, Grace and Ethan Gibson of Colorado Spring, Co; sister-in-law, Gail Hursey Branch and her husband, Harry of Baxley, GA and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 15, in Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held 3:00 PM Friday, January 16, in the Chapel of Hodges-Moore Funeral Home with Elder Randy Waters officiating.

Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Emerson Melton, Darrel Melton, Tyler Melton, Mitchell Melton and Randy Inman.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Statesboro Fire Department and the CAFÉ Unit.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459 or Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church, 4 South Zetterower Avenue, Statesboro, GA 30458.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.