William "Bill" Payton Coleman

William “Bill” Payton Coleman, 70, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2021 at The Phoenix at Lake Joy surrounded by his family and other loved ones. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends from Noon to service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Wesleyan College Fund for International Students or to donor’s favorite charity.

Bill was born August 4, 1951 in Lake City, Florida to the late Rufus and Ivalene Rozier Coleman. His father worked at a Stucky’s store in nearby White Springs, Florida on the Suwanee River. At the age of four he and his brother Richard age two were left with his grandparents Hiram and Maggie Coleman with whom they lived until he was ten years old. He cited his grandfather as his greatest influence in his life. His father then moved he and his brother, Richard (Pamela) Coleman to Milledgeville, Georgia where they lived with their mother until 1969.

After graduating from Baldwin High School in June 1969, Bill moved around a few times. Bill settled in Fort Valley, Georgia where he was employed by Blue Bird Body Company for 43 years. At Blue Bird, Bill met and married Marie Howell of Fort Valley. They had two beautiful children, Sean William (Ashley) Coleman and Holly Marie Coleman (Jarrod) Edwards and two grandchildren, Xander and Zachary whom he adored.

Bill served in various capacities as a leader in Boy Scout Troup 59 in Fort Valley. He served in various capacities including Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master. At Scout Master Bill helped four young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, these four young men were a part of twelve boys brought over from Troop 59 Cub Scouts. Only two percent of all boys that join the Boy Scouts achieve the top rank of Eagle Scout. Bill along with help from Hilton Smith, Wayne McInvale, Sr., Vernon Wright and Slim Washburn and others guided thirty three percent of those twelve young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. Bill had many successes in his life but he was most proud of this achievement.

He also served a term of one year on the Board of Directors for the Peach Area Child Care Center in Fort Valley. Bill believed in God and had established his own personal relationship with his Lord and Savior. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, watching science and history documentaries on TV and reading. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He had an outgoing personality and was a good friend to many and was very caring and help many people. His family was very important to him.

Bill was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son and was a good friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.