William Frank Rich Sr.

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mr. William Frank Rich Sr., age 75, of Swainsboro on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at his residence after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Blankenship officiating and Bobby Sasser and Earl Tillman assisting.

Interment will be in the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Dustin Durden officiating.

Mr. Rich will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from  5-7 PM

Pallbearers are Dustin Durden, Nate Smith, Blanton Shepherd, Ryan Shepherd, Roy Griswold, Britt Marchman and Elijah Brantley.

Honorary Pallbearers will be  Bill and Lynn English, Al and Martha Jane Lawson, Charles and Jackie Drake, Bobby Sasser, Fayette Chance, Jimmy and Sue Murphy, Charlie and Patty Pangonis, Jimmy Morgan Sunday School Class and Swainsboro Country Club Men's Golf Association.

Mr. Rich was born in St. Petersburg, FL and live the majority of his life in Swainsboro, GA.  After serving his country from 1955-1963 in the U S Air Force, he founded the Rich Insurance Agency and operated it until his retirement in 1995.  Mr. Rich was a member of the First Baptist Church of Swainsboro where he was a member of the Jimmy Morgan Sunday School Class and the Brotherhood.  Also active in the community he was a  member of the Emanuel County Sportsman's Club, the Swainsboro Masonic Lodge #244,  Swainsboro Shrine Club, Scottish Rite in the Valley of Savannah, Alee Temple in Savannah, Past member of the Rotary Club and Swainsboro Association of Life Underwriters.  Mr. Rich was an avid golfer and member of the Swainsboro Country Clubs Men's Golf Association, in 2001 he is noted for making double eagle on the 8th hole on two consecutive days.   After retiring he and the love of his life (Alice Lanier Rich) enjoyed spending much of their time on the St. Johns River in Astor, FL fishing.  Mr. Rich was preceded in death by his wife; Alice Rich, daughter; Debra Jane Rich, father; W. A. Rich, mother and step-father; Clyde and Ida McCarty Barnes and son-in-law Wendell Durden.

Survivors include:

Three Daughters: Zebe G Durden, Zan G Smith (George) of Swainsboro, GA and Teresa Percival (Chuck) of Ainsworth, NE

Two Sons:  Billy Rich (Debra) and Lanier Griswold (Joy) of Swainsboro, GA

One Brother: Cecil Rich (Helen) of Lyons, GA

14 Grandchildren: Dustin Durden (Sherrie), Alice S Marchman (Britt), Nate Smith, Blanton Shepherd, Ryan Shepherd, Retha Reagan, Josh Reagan, Chris Cumbee, Adam Cumbee, Hana R. Moorman, Roy Griswold, Jordan Griswold, Katie Griswold, Buck Griswold

14 Great-Grandchildren: Daniel Durden, Abigail Durden, Samuel Durden, Luke Marchman, Jack Marchman, Cierra Shepherd, Alex Ochs, Halle Shepherd, William Reagan, Silas Reagan, Raelynn Reagan, Aaden Cumbee, Hanley Moorman and Maggie Rowland.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,  PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or the St Jude Children's Research Hospital, P O Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis TN, 38101

Condolences may be submitted online at www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements for the funeral of  Mr. William Frank Rich Sr. of  Swainsboro, GA

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