WILLIAM H
my service
ORDER OF SERVICE
Reverend Dr. Herman Skip Mason, Jr. | Officiating
Pastor, West Mitchell Street C.M.E. Church I Atlanta, Georgia
Mayor Hardie Davis | Presiding
Augusta-Richmond County
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE - Reverend Tommie Benjamin
Pastor, Trinity C.M.E. Church
NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE - Reverend Dr. Kenneth B. Martin
Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church
PRAYER OF COMFORT - Reverend Dr. Joan R. Harrell
First Baptist Church of Chicago
SELECTION
Dr. Hawthorne Welcher
REFLECTIONS | AS A FRIEND
Paul Simmons | Willie A. Watkins | J.B. Powell
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Lena Bonner
WORDS OF COMFORT
Dr. Herman Skip Mason
COMMITTAL AND BENEDICTION
INTERMENT
Westover Memorial Park
2601 Wheeler Road j Augusta, Georgia
WILLIAM WILLIE H. MAYS, III
July 11, 1951 - November 22, 2020
SERVICE
Monday, November 30, 2020
Eleven oclock in the Morning
Westover Memorial Park
2601 Wheeler Road
Augusta, Georgia
>Jl wOdtaM/ alhub^you* sud(/,
ncvov tto
'-j^OU/
ncvov
wM.
>Jl vA$tiLJAW c$oi& wit$w my (bait
CiyiXt^io^yow vA$i&maw',
h/6- met a^aivu.
OBITUARY
The greatest among you shall be your servant.Matthew 23:11
It has been said that what we do in the service of others, we do in the service of God. The life of William Willie Henry Mays,
III is a shining example of this virtue. Born on July 11, 1951, to the late William H. Mays, II and Carrie J. Mays, the roadmap
for Willies life of service was set from the very beginning. Willies parents, the owners, and operators of the historic W.H. Mays
Mortuary founded in 1922 by his grandfather provided a pristine example of compassion, empathy, and barrier-breaking that
would underscore Willies lifetime. Not only was Willies father one of Augustas most respected businessmen, but his mother also
made history as the first woman to serve on the Augusta City Council.
After graduating from T.W. Josey High School in 1969, Willie prepared to enter the family business. He earned a degree in
Mortuary Science from the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. He also completed advanced studies
at Augusta University. Willie became a true steward of his profession, serving as the youngest President and Chairman of the
Georgia Funeral Directors Association and as a board member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. He
was also a faithful member of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity.
Following in his parents footsteps and solidifying his commitment to public service, Willie was elected to the Augusta City
Council in 1979. This would mark the beginning of a thirty-year long career in local government. His work as a public servant in
Augusta-Richmond County included an election to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners in 1990, where he later served
as chairman of the body in 1994; multiple terms as Commissioner for the at-large Super Districts in the Augusta-Richmond
County consolidated government; three terms as Mayor Pro Tem and in June 2005, Willie was elected by a unanimous vote of the
Augusta-Richmond County Board of Commissioners to serve as Interim Mayor for the city of Augusta. His legendary work ethic
and devotion to meeting his constituents needs earned him the nickname Superman. Willie H. Mays, III holds the distinction of
having been the only person in the citys history to serve in all three iterations of local government. As a result of his work ethic
and dedication to the community, the new Public Defenders Office on Greene Street was named the William H. Mays, III Building
in his honor.
While the list of accolades, awards, and honors that Willie received in his lifetime are far too numerous to list, it is probably
true that his greatest achievement was displayed in his day-to-day interactions with the families that he served at W.H. Mays
Mortuary. Over the decades, Willie built and maintained a reputation for tenderness and dignity. The empathy and respect with
which he served thousands of grieving families will be forever etched on the collective heart of the CSRA.
Willie was a man of deep faith, as well as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. The lifelong member of Trinity Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church married his best friend, Raye Alissa Lisa Robinson in 2018 after several years of courtship. He was
the proud father of one daughter, Princess Blount, and two beautiful grand-daughters, London and Bailey Blount.
Whether he was called Superman, Mr. Mays, or simply Willie, he will not only be remembered as a giant in Augusta public
life, but he will also be remembered as a true servant-leader in his community. An influence and role model for generations of
Augustans, the brilliant and trailblazing life of William Willie Henry Mays, III will be celebrated for years to come.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother. Willie is survived by: his dedicated wife, Raye Mays of Augusta,
GA; his daughter, Princess (Walter) Blount of Ellenwood, GA; two grandchildren, London and Bailey Blount; two aunts, Bessie
Willia ms of Atla nta, GA, a nd Da isyJones of Lincolnton, GA; one brother, Peter (Ha rtent)Jones of Lincolnton, GA; one sister, Alsie
Delores Parks of Atlanta, GA; father-in-law, Ray Robinson of Augusta, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
PALLBEARERS
W.H. Mays Mortuary Staff
^When he tm& a hmf,
Ve um& hM that he
he mmted t& he...
Unde/i the atte/i-ey Supe/iwwm,
HONORARY
PALLBEARERS
T.W. Josey High School Class of 1969
NFDMA
GFSPA, 8th District
Trinity C.M.E. Church Family
Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fra
A NOTE OF THANKS
The Mays Family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the many expressions
of kindness, prayers, and love shared with us during this time of bereavement. We
would especially like to thank Willies team of doctors and all medical professionals
who provided him care, the Augusta-Richmond County Government, the W.H. Mays
Mortuary Staff, and the citizens of Augusta, Georgia.
W.H. MAYS MORTUARY
Professional SciviccA Family Tradition Since 1922
1221 James Brown Boulevard
Augusta, Georgia 30901
706.722.6401
DESIGN/PRINTING BY: AUGUSTA BLUEPRINT
augustafuneralnotices.com | augustablue.com | 706.722.6488