William 'Earl' Copeland

Waynesville- William "Earl" Copeland, 62 of Waynesville passed away late Wednesday night (September 11, 2013) at his residence following an extended illness. Born and raised in Camden County, his parents were Harry Edwin and Mary Francis Williamson Copeland. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Copeland. He started as a young man living in Camden County, he left home to serve in the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War, then returned home where he married and had two beautiful children, Justin and Jennifer. He was an honest, hardworking man who has always made friends wherever he went, he never met a stranger. He worked as a logger for 29 years. 15 years ago he was struck by an illness and God saw fit to pull him through and he has fought such a hard fight with the grace of God. Now he has been called home. He will be missed greatly by his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends from all over. No one will ever love oysters, crabs, and fellowship with friends the way this man did. He also loved hunting, fishing, gardening in his fruit orchard, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Survivors include his loving wife of 38 years, Debra Copeland, of Waynesville; his son and daughter-in-law, Justin Copeland (Heather), of Waynesville; his daughter, Jennifer Knight (Trent), of Hortense; 6 grandchildren, Gage Copeland, Bryston Knight, Ella Knight, J.C. Kimbrell, Hunter Kimbrell, and Caleb Dixon; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Harry Copeland (Nuris), of Brunswick, and Tom Copeland (Sue), of St. Petersburg, FL; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Arlene (Dick), of Ormond Beach, FL, and Ashley Copeland, of West Palm Beach, FL; 2 sisters-in-law, Regina Hunter (Eddie), of Waynesville, and Angela Stokes, of Hortense; brother-in-law, Terry Thompson, of Waynesville; nieces and nephews, Matt Dixon, Aaron Hunter, Jamie Gibson, Chase Stokes, Josie Smith, Joni Thompson, Chad Copeland, Staci Thomas, Nathalie Kilby, Brittany Copeland, Tonya Lee; Great nieces and nephews that live with Earl and Debra are, Bailey, Bentley, & Brody Gibson. Visitation will be held Saturday (September 14, 2013) at 6PM at his residence; 142 Cherokee Hill Rd, Waynesville, GA 31566. A Funeral Service will be held Sunday (September 15, 2013) at 3PM at Waynesville Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Carr, Rev. Larry Altman, and Bro. Jimmy Drury officiating. Burial will follow in the E and D Copeland Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers will be Justin Copeland, Gage Copeland, Trent Knight, Bryston Knight, Chad Copeland, Hunter Kimbrell, and J.C. Kimbrell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmy and Susan Hutchison, Michael and Katherine Wilson, Kevin Middleton, Eddie Hunter, Matt and Brandi Dixon, Aaron Hunter, Vernie Besson, Mark Bunkley, Jay Ham, Roy Keene, Tommy and Beverly Clark, Larry and Joy Knight, Susan Mills, Dr. Levy, Dr. Certain, Pam and Glynn Harper, Vernon Bessing, Terry Thompson, and Philip Bessing. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta. Sympathy may be expressed by signing our online registry at fryefh.com.