Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Walter Spurgeon Hornsby, III, 1941-2022, Monday, December 19, 2022 - 1:00 PM, Antioch Baptist Church, 1454 Florence Street - Augusta, Georgia 30901, Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Martin, Pastor & Eulogist

CELEBRATING THE LIFE & LEGACY
OF
WALTER SPURGEON HORNSBY, III
1941-2022
Monday, December 19, 2022 1:00PM
Antioch Baptist Church 1454 Florence Street - Augusta, Georgia 30901
Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Martin, Pastor & Eulogist

The Life of Walter Spurgeon Hornsby, III
Mr. Walter Spurgeon Hornsby, III was born, September 6, 1941, in Augusta, Georgia to Pauline
Dixon Hornsby and Walter Spurgeon Hornsby, Jr. He received his primary education at Silas X. Floyd Elementary School and graduated from Lucy Craft Laney High School after completing his graduation requirements after only two (2) years of attendance.
Mr. Hornsby was then accepted to Morehouse College as an early admission student. While
attending Morehouse: Mr. Hornsby became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and earned his
Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following graduation, Mr. Hornsby returned to Augusta, to work in the family
business, at Pilgrim Health & Life Insurance, as a statistician. Mr. Hornsby continued to further his education by attending the University of Michigan.
In 1964, Mr. Hornsby's life was forever changed and blessed when he married the love of his life,
Clara Johnson, who became his wife, friend, and life partner for 58 years. During this time Mr. Hornsby served during the Vietnam War as a soldier in the United States Army, stationed at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey, from 1966 to 1968.
1973, Mr. Hornsby returned to Augusta to work alongside his family at Pilgrim Health & Life where he served as Senior Vice-President and Actuary, later becoming its President. Mr. Hornsby was
very active in his community and in various organizations within the City of Augusta. In 1975, he was
appointed by the Mayor of Augusta, to the Augusta Port Authority. Due to Mr. Hornsby's extensive 7
knowledge of technology and computer systems, he was then appointed to, and elected Vice-President of the City of Augusta Data Processing Commission. In 1983, Mr. Hornsby was the first African American in Augusta to serve as President of the Unite Way ofthe CSRA. In 1990, Mr. Hornsby accepted appointment as Augusta's first African American Deputy Administrator, serving from 1992 to 2003, and was instrumental in the successful transition of the consolidation of Augusta and Richmond County
governments.
_Mr. Hornsby served as a member of St. Joseph Hospital Board ofDirectors, Sportsman's Boat Club of Augusta. He was an Amateur Radio Operator, holding an Advance Radio License where his call sign was K4WWM, and was a member of the Amateur Radio Club of Augusta. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and mentor to those who needed guidance in the community. Mr. Hornsby had a love of technology and managed to stay relevant when it came to computer technology.
Mr. Hornsby wasa person of intellect, optimism, and kindness; his passing leaves a void in the
hearts of those who loved him. His eternal memory will be cherished by his loving and caring spouse of
58 years Clara Johnson Hornsby; his beloved sons, Walter Spurgeon Hornsby, IV and Wendell Steven
Hornsby; his granddaughter, Makayla (Jarrell) Slaton; his sister, Willena Homer Butler; his aunt,
Charlotte Hornsby Watkins; sisters-in law Wilhelmina Wiggleton, Vivian Johnson, and Loretta (Ulysses) Buchanan, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

ORDER OF SERVICE
Antioch Baptist Church
Augusta, Georgia
Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Martin, Pastor - Officiating

PROCESSIONAL CONGREGATIONAL HYMN INVOCATION
MUSICAL SELECTION
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT READING
PRAYER OF COMFORT
MUSICAL SELECTION REFLECTIONS

"Precious Lord"
"WhatA Fellowship"
Rev. Robert Ramsey, Pastor, Gospel Water Branch
Evans, GA
Mr. Jeffrey Britt
Rev. Dr. Jennie Roberts
Rev. Dr. Shirley Cardwell, Associate Pastor, Day Spring Baptist Church
Augusta, GA
Deacon William Cherry, Antioch Baptish Church
Mr. Jackson "Jacob" Usry, II, Family Friend
Mr. William Tomlinson, Relative

OBITUARY
EULOGY
MUSICAL SELECTION BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL

Former Pilgrim Health & Life Employee
Read Silently
Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Martin, Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church
Augusta, GA
Mr. Jeffery Britt

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Pall Bearers
Family, Friends & Lucy C. Laney
Class of 1959

Interment
Cedar Grove Cemetery 120 Watkins Street
Augusta, GA 30901

Flower Bearers
Friends, Family & Usher Board, Antioch Baptist
Church --

"Heaven's Point of View"

Today I faced a mountain that I have no strength to climb.

And the struggle of this journey.

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Left me weak both in body and in mind.

Where I stand to the peak is a distance on my own, I cannot reach. --

So, this journey of a thousand steps begins right here on my knees.

Soon I'll soar like an eagle High on wings of grace.

Far into the heavens where I can almost see God's face.

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Rising in His splendor to heights I never knew.

What once looked like a mountain is just a hillfrom heaven's point of view.

I may face things tomorrow I cannot comprehend today.
Circumstances so uncertain make it hard to find the strength to pray. But I'm livinign the promise I'll never leave you; I'll always see you through.
So, what's this mountain to an eagle flying high. From heaven's point of view. Author - Jesse Dixon

QUOTE _ Benjamin E. Mays, President Morehouse College from 1940-1967
"Tt must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it
is a calamity to not dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace
to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin."
Acknowledgements Words cannot express how grateful our family is for your generous support, encouraging words, thoughts, and prayers. We have sustained a great loss and are
deeply moved by your support during this difficult time.

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Special Thanks

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Staff of Fresenius, Dr. Danny Newman, Dr. David Allen, Ms. Frances A. Gayle-Rhodes,
~ Rev. Jennie Roberts, and the Antioch Baptist Church Family --

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WILLIAMS' FUNERAL HOME
1765 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Augusta, GA 30901