William Norton Futch

William Norton Futch, Sr., age 87,passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13that Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga.Norton was born May 1, 1928 in Rochelle Georgia, the son of Ruby Norton and John PhiletusFutch.His childhood was spent in Rochelle graduating from Wilcox County High School.After completing Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, he returned to Wilcox County where he farmed and taught Vocational Agriculture to veterans.He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Maddox, in 1946. In 1955 he was hired as a Sales Trainee for the Plant Food Division of International Minerals and Chemical Corporation and moved his family to Americus, Georgia. He held increasingly responsible positions in the IMC Rainbow Division, retiring in 1986 as Vice President of Southern Operations and living in Dunwoody GA.Among Norton’s greatest legacies are the people he hired and mentored, many of whom became fellow executives in the IMC Rainbow family. Upon retirement, Norton and Ann moved to Tifton, GA. where he returned to dabbling in his first love of farming. He purchased timber land in Wilcox County and enjoyed working in the pine trees. In 2004, they returned to Americus Georgia to be near the care of Magnolia Manor Retirement Center. A lifelong Baptist and ordained deacon, he was instrumental in establishing Fellowship Baptist Church in Americus GA, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church.After his return to Americus, he enjoyed activities at both Fellowship Baptist and First Baptist Church. He also participated in Rotary Club in Tifton. Norton Futch was a devoted family man.A childhood spent during the depression years molded his outlook on life.He often recalled the hard times and challenged his offspring never to be wasteful nor live beyond their means.He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ann Maddox Futch, an infant son, John Hubert Futch, and two sisters, Harriett Futch Fenn and Mildred Futch Pade.He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Bishop Futch, his son and daughter, William N. (Bill) Futch, Jr. (Nancy Barkuloo Futch) of Lakeland FL, and Annet Futch Thompson of Norman Oklahoma.He also is survived by six grandchildren:Natalie Futch Smith (Jeff), Jupiter, FL, Dr. Lydia Futch Thurston (Michael), Birmingham, AL, Dr. Kevin Thompson (Adrianne), Tuscaloosa, AL, Kyle Thompson (Lindsay), Dallas, TX, Rev. Alex Thompson (Kendra), Amman, Jordan, and Abigail Thompson, Dallas, TX.He has 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 30th, 2:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 153 Tommy Hooks Rd., Americus, GA. 31709.The family will participate in an internment at Morningside Cemetery, Rochelle, GA. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to Fellowship Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1122 Americus, GA 31709 or Magnolia Manor League of Good Samaritans, 2001 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709. Frazier and Son Funeral Home in Rochelle is in charge of arrangements.