William A. Anderson

Former Richmond County Sheriff William A. (Bill) Anderson, age 80, of Augusta passed away peacefully Friday June 17, 2016, at his home under SouthEast Hospice Care, surrounded by his loving family. Born September 30, 1935 Bill was the eldest son of the late Thomas J. & Katie Belle Tankersley Anderson. He was a 1953 graduate of Richmond Academy and later attended Junior College of Augusta, Augusta College and The University of Georgia from 1953 until 1957 when he was called to service for his country in the Navy.

Upon his honorable discharge, he worked for Charleston-Weston-Carolina Railroad & United Automatic Computers until 1961, when, in service to his community and Richmond County, he joined the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department. In 1964 he was promoted to Investigator after successful completion of training at the Federal Bureau of Investigations under the directorship of J. Edgar Hoover. During 1971 he filled the seat of Sheriff for Richmond County and ran again on the Republican ticket in 1974 winning the election and being congratulated as the youngest sheriff in the state of Georgia with a personal letter from then President of the United States Richard Nixon on having more votes than Nixon in Richmond County. After his tenure as Sheriff he retired from The Richmond County Sheriff’s Department and began his career as a General Contractor and owner-operator of Security Check, where he worked in collections for major retail chains.

In addition to his membership at Pierce Memorial United Methodist Church, Sheriff Anderson was a member of many civic boards and Board of Directors including the Georgia Sheriff Boys Ranch, The Georgia Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, The Boy Scouts of America, West Augusta Rotary Club, Peace Officers Association of Georgia, and the Georgia Sheriffs Association Legislative Sub-Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors, as Past-President and Co-Founder of the Master’s City Little League. Mr. Anderson was also the Richmond County Jaycees’ Man of the Year.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his former wife Gail Anderson, two sisters Betty Jean Hattaway and Faye Corbin and one brother Robert H. Anderson. Sheriff Anderson is survived by his wife Betty Johnson-Anderson of Augusta, GA, three children Duane (Janice) Anderson, Renae Mock of Augusta and Dawn (Ryan) Foos of Olathe, Kansas. Nine grandchildren Dylan & Dallas Anderson, Wade, Evan and Breann Faglier and Joshua Mock all of Augusta, James, Micky & Cody Foos of Olathe, Kansas. Three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Anderson of Hephzibah, GA, Carolyn Stapleton of Adrian, GA, and MaryAnn Cleveland of Milledgeville, GA. Two brothers-in-law Leroy Corbin of Beech Island, SC and Ron (Becky) Cowart of Blythe, GA. Two Nephews that were like his sons Ralph Cowart & Alan Skipper of Statesboro, GA. Special friends Lawson Templeton and Jack Gordon of Augusta. And a host of nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held Monday June 20th, 2016 from 5pm until 8pm at Elliott and Sons Funeral Home, Lumpkin Road Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 3 pm, Tuesday June 21st, 2016 from the Chapel of Elliott and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Brian Cowart, Sheriff Greg Coursey, and Tim Pendrey officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be; Joe Anderson, Henry Black, Ken Eskew, Lee Goode, Dak McCall, Frank Tiller, Stoney Turnage and Bobby Wylds. Honorary Pallbearers will be deputies who served with Sheriff Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the American Cancer Society, SouthEast Hospice Care, 4325 Washington Rd, Ste. 103 Evans, GA or Southern Manor Retirement Inn 1532 Fair Rd, Statesboro, GA 30458.

Elliott and Sons Funeral Home, Lumpkin Road Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Former Sheriff William A. (Bill) Anderson of Augusta.