William James “Jim” Dorminy, of Chula, Georgia, passed away surrounded by the love of his family. Born on May 3, 1946, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Jim was the youngest child of John Henry Jr. and Elene D. Dorminy.
Jim was raised in Fitzgerald, Georgia, where he developed a lifelong love for family, community, and hard work. He graduated from The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before attending Emory University. In 1968, he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Air Force. He was first stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, where he became known for his legendary card-playing skills, before serving in Southeast Asia, where he worked on F-104 fighter aircraft.
After returning home, Jim joined the family’s business, the Fitzgerald Ice Company, and married the mother of his children, Deni Garland. Together, they welcomed two children, William James “Will” Dorminy Jr. and Anna Catherine Dorminy.
Jim transformed the Fitzgerald Ice Company from a 30,000-case operation into a business distributing more than one million cases annually before passing its leadership to his son, Will. Throughout his career, he also worked alongside his brother, John H. Dorminy III, helping operate numerous family businesses, including Planters Oil, Fitzgerald Hardware, Planters Warehouse and Loan, Dorminy Brothers Land and Cattle, and several other successful ventures.
Jim was passionate about travel, adventure, and giving back to the communities he loved. In 2016, while traveling through Australia and New Zealand, he met the love of his life, Ann Maschka Dorminy. Together, they shared a deep appreciation for travel, art, and philanthropy. Among the organizations closest to their hearts were the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage, Tift Animal Rescue, the Alzheimer’s Association, The McCallie School, Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Tifton, the Fitzgerald Humane Society, local schools, hospitals, and scholarship programs benefiting students across Georgia.
Jim believed in living life to the fullest. He loved spending time with his family, caring for his beloved dogs and birds, and staying active through regular workouts. He could often be seen walking through downtown Tifton and continued going to work until the last few months. He also loved exploring the world, with Africa holding a special place in his heart, and embarked on nearly a dozen safaris during his lifetime. One of his proudest accomplishments was visiting all seven continents.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elene Dorminy; his sister, Marthanne Verbit Gardner; and his brother, John H. Dorminy III.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ann Maschka Dorminy; his children, Will Dorminy and Anna Dorminy White; his grandchildren, Trace Dorminy, Lexie Dorminy Edwards (Jake), Scarlett White, and Reef White; his nephews, John “Sonny” Dorminy and Charlie Dorminy; his nieces, Amanda Verbit and Lindy Bengston (Dustin); as well as many cherished great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and special caregivers.
Jim will be remembered for his generous spirit, entrepreneurial vision, adventurous heart, unwavering love for his family, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness and philanthropy.
Memorial services will be held 10 AM, Friday, July 17, 2026, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with Deacon J. Brian Bergeron officiating. Inurnment will follow in the John Henry Dorminy family plot at Evergreen Cemetery. A luncheon for family and friends will be held at 12 Noon at Southern Crown Partners Fitzgerald Warehouse, 243 Ocilla Highway.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fitzgerald Humane Society, Tift Animal Rescue, Our Divine Savior Catholic Church, or the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.