AMERICUS — Walter Richard Stratford Sr., 91, formerly of Albany, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at Phoebe Sumter Regional Hospital, Americus, Ga., after a brief illness.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church with the burial to follow at Oakview Cemetery, Camilla, Ga. The Rev. Jay Weldon will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.
Mr. Stratford was born on April 11, 1924, in Mitchell County, Georgia, to William Jackson Stratford and Lucille Black Stratford. He was a senior vice president and trust officer with First State Bank and Trust in Albany for over 30 years. Mr. Stratford was a past president of both the Albany Jaycees and the Albany Sertoma Club. He was a founding director and past president of the Albany Boys Club. He was a former member and Senior Warden of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Stratford was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Louise Jones Stratford of Shellman, Ga.
Mr. Stratford is survived by a son: W. Richard Stratford  Jr., Americus, Ga; a daughter: Kay Stratford Stafford and her husband Joe Stafford of Atlanta; five grandchildren: W. Richard Stratford III, Sabra Stratford, Tariq David Jackson Stratford, Katie Stafford, and Hannah Stafford; a sister: Polly Stratford Smith, Rochester Hills, Mich.; a sister-in-law: Sandra Jones Wiley, Albany; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Those desiring may send memorials to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany, 711 N. Monroe St., Albany GA 31701.
Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.