Abraham Illges Jr.

A Illges, Jr., 82, of Columbus, died on Thursday July 7, 2016 at Columbus Hospice House. A graveside service is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2016 at 10:00am in Parkhill Cemetery with Reverend Charles Hasty, Jr. officiating.

Mr. Illges was born June 26, 1934 in Columbus, GA to the late Virginia Howard Illges and Abraham Illges. He attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Columbus High School in 1952. Following two years of study at Auburn University, he transferred to Georgia Tech where he received a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1958.

He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in December 1958, followed by three and a half years serving on the destroyers USS O’Hare and USS Forrest Sherman. Following release to inactive duty in June 1962, he was employed by Swift Spinning Mills in a sales capacity and from which he resigned in 1985 having attained the office of President. Mr. Illges remained in the textile industry and incorporated Meritas Yarns, a manufacturer of specialty yarns with plants in Columbus, GA and Lafayette, AL.

During his business career, he served terms as President of the American Yarn Spinners Association and the Georgia Textile Manufacturers Association. He also served on the Columbus State University Foundation and as an Advisory Director of Columbus Bank and Trust Co.

Mr. Illges served terms as Deacon, Elder, and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church, and at the time of his death, was a Covenant Partner at Grace Presbyterian Church.

On May 4, 1963, he married Kathryn Rawls and remained happily married for 53 years. He is survived by their two daughters, Kathryn Illges Rawlings (Tom) and Amanda Illges Van Cleve (Bill); as well as six grandchildren, William Hines Rawlings, Thomas Charles Rawlings, Jr., Abraham Illges Rawlings, Margaret Elizabeth Van Cleve, James Abraham Van Cleve, Kathryn Elizabeth Van Cleve, and a sister, Virginia Illges Norman. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Abraham Illges, III and sister, Mary Lou Illges Brown.