William Emory Linder Jr.

W. Emory Linder, Jr., of St. Simons Island, Georgia, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1932, the son of the late W. Emory Linder and Sara Maxwell Linder. He spent his childhood in Glynn County, Georgia, and graduated from Glynn Academy.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Dr. Linder earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Emory University School of Dentistry. He served his country for three and a half years in the United States Army Dental Corps before entering private practice in Athens, Georgia, where he provided compassionate dental care to generations of patients for 48 years. He considered his patients to be his friends. Dr. Linder retired in July 2010 after a long and distinguished career.

He was a member of various component parts of organized dentistry and a charter member of the Georgia Academy of Dental Practice. He was deeply respected among his peers for his integrity, skill, and commitment to his profession.

A man of deep faith, Dr. Linder was a 40 year member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, where he served faithfully as a deacon and Bible teacher for more than 30 years. After returning to coastal Georgia in 2011, he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Brunswick, where he continued to teach and share his faith until his passing.

Dr. Linder is survived by his beloved wife of over 70 years, Mikell Owens Linder, as well as his four children and their spouses: David K. Linder (married to Jane), Terri L. Martin (married to Greg), A. Scott Linder (married to Mannajai), and Felder A. Linder; and their nine grandchildren: Mary Kathryn Linder, William E. Linder II, Felder Anne Martin, Emory K. Linder (married to Lily), Elizabeth B. Linder, John Ellis Linder, James E. Linder, Sara A. Iavarone, and Ella C. Iavarone.

Dr. Linder will be remembered for his quiet strength, kindness, devotion to his family, and steadfast faith in Christ. His legacy of service—to his patients, his church, and his community—will endure through all who were blessed to know him.