ELLAVILLE — Mr. Edward Lewis Veatch, 87, of Ellaville died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in the chapel of Watson-Giddens Funeral Home with the Rev. Clyde Grimsley, the Rev. Earl Dunmon and Brother Troy Fripp officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Sumter County, Ga. The family will greet friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service beginning at 2 p.m.

Mr. Veatch was born Aug. 4, 1930, in Lafayette, Ga., to the late William Roberson Veatch and Almedia Melvina Lawrence Veatch. He was a partner in Veatch Foods Inc. doing business as Ellaville Piggly Wiggly. Mr. Veatch had also been a farmer and insurance salesman. He enjoyed sports, bird dogs, field trials and was happiest on the river fishing for catfish or following a bird dog. Mr. Veatch was also known to be able to fix anything. He had served six years in the National Guard.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rilla Veatch; one son, Joel Veatch (Sharon) of Ellaville; one daughter, Christine Morrison (Kent) of Albany, Ga.; one brother, Carl Veatch (June) of Americus, Ga.; and one sister, Barbara Jean Stewart of Dunwoody, Ga. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Tashia Hughes, Crystal Taylor (Jamie), Stephanie Liggett (Chris), Michael Morrison, Adam Morrison, Trey Morrison (Allison); and seven great-grandchildren, James, Wesley, Katie, Meredith, Carter, Eliza and Lilly.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Shriners Hospital or Georgia Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Pallbearers are Michael Morrison, Adam Morrison, Trey Morrison, Jamie Taylor, James Perkins Hughes and Wesley Hughes.

You may sign the online guestbook and share you own special thoughts and memories with the family of Mr. Veatch by visiting Watson-Giddens Funeral Home’s website at www.watsongiddensfuneralhome.com

Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.