ELLAVILLE, Ga. — Mr. William “Bill” Bradford Stribling, Sr., age 76, of Americus, Ga., died Friday, May 11, 2018, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2018, at Lee Street United Methodist Church in Americus with burial to follow in the Ellaville Cemetery. Dr. Dennis Stalvey, the Rev. Mark Carter and the Rev. Brooks Partain will officiate. Active pallbearers will include Wilkie Smith, David Ragsdale, Noel Goggins, Stuart Austin, Loveard McMichael, William Bradford Stribling Jr., and Bryce Johnson.

Mr. Stribling was born Sept. 23, 1941, in Americus, Ga., the son of the late William R. Henderson and the late Virginia Osborn Holloway. He grew up in Americus and Santa Rosa County, Fla. Mr. Stribling graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Fla. He attended Auburn University and was an avid Auburn fan. He was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the 101 Infantry Division and as a door gunner in the Razorback helicopter unit where he participated in the Tet Offensive. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After serving in the Army, he had a 34-year career with the U.S. Postal Service.

Mr. Stribling had many interests and hobbies including hunting, fishing, guns, working out, genealogy, and history, especially Native American and Civil War history. For many years, he collected Native American artifacts in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. He was a faithful member of Lee Street United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school for many years until the time of his illness. He served on numerous committees and was always willing to serve in any way possible. He was also a member to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Alexander H. Stephens Camp No. 78, Americus. Mr. Stribling was a very kind, loving and protective husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Stribling of Americus; daughter, Erika Johnson and husband Bryce of Tifton, Ga.; son, William Bradford Stribling Jr. (Brad) and wife Christie of Americus;  two grandchildren, Reese Stribling of Americus and Will Johnson of Tifton, Ga. Also surviving are brothers, James C. Henderson, Robert Jones, Charles Henderson, Gerald Henderson, and sisters, Harriet Swords, Cherie Ward, and Ruth Gray. His late paternal grandmother, Frances A. Stribling was a very important person in his life.

Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2018, at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in Ellaville, Ga. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, P.O. Box 2424, Macon GA 31203, or the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts and memories with the family by visiting Watson-Giddens Funeral Home’s web site at www.watsongiddensfuneralhome.com

Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville, Ga., has been entrusted with the arrangements.