William A. Dixon

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 28, at 11:00 a.m. St. Simons First Baptist Church with the Rev. Felix Haynes. Visitation will follow the service in the Church Fellowship Hall. The family will have a private entombment service at Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Keen, Rance Braswell, Al Brown, Phil Callicutt, Harvey Richardson, and Nick Doster..

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of First Baptist Church of St. Simons.

Bill was born on January 17, 1923, and grew up in Dooley County. He was a veteran of the United States Army, where he served for four years with the primarily in Central Europe. Bill particularly enjoyed his aircrew training at the University of Arkansas, but was reassigned to the Infantry when General Eisenhower needed ground troops in Europe. He had vivid memories of the liberation of the prisoners-of-war at the Bergen-Belsen Camp in Germany. He received several awards including the American Theatre Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Bill left the service as a Staff Sergeant and returned to middle Georgia where he went to work for Georgia Power Company and joined the National Guard. Over his 40-year career, he served as a lineman, appliance repairman, and local manager in Macon, Hawkinsville, Darien, and St. Simons Island, and as a residential sales engineer in Brunswick. He was a member of the Hawkinsville and Darien Lions Clubs, the St. Simons Rotary Club, and was honored to serve as a deacon in the Baptist Churches in Hawkinsville, Darien, and St. Simons. The highlight of his service to the Church was being named a Life Deacon for St. Simons First Baptist Church.

Upon retirement, Bill took an active role in his grandson Travis’s life, coaching soccer and attending baseball games and piano recitals. Bill was a devout and humble man who generously helped those in need, without fanfare or recognition. Over the years, he drove other veterans to their doctors’ appointments, and supported untold numbers of family and friends by assisting with tuition for college and training, sent youth to church camps, and shared the bounty of his earthly treasure in ways too numerous to list. He had the heart of a servant, and always held a special place in his heart for children who had lost a parent.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bertram A. and Cornelia Dixon, who died a year apart when Bill was six and five years old, respectively; his six siblings; and his first wife, Hilda Dixon and son Ronnie. Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Eddi Gassett Dixon; his daughters Linda (Ed) Lindsey and Peggy Dixon; his grandson Travis Paulding (Jessica) and granddaughters Gracie and Andie Paulding; his stepson Cliff Gassett (Tracey) and step granddaughters Kristen and Alyssa Gassett; two first cousins; and several nieces and nephews.

He appreciated the care provided by Drs. Jones, Certain, and Strickland; Dr. Timothy Hunsucker; Drs. Nunnemann and Kranc; and the staff of Magnolia Manor of St. Simons.

The family has requested memorials be made to the Children's Compassion Fund c/o First Baptist Church of St. Simons, 729 Ocean Blvd., St. Simons Is., Ga. 31522.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com