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