***Courtesy post for Moores Funeral Home***
Bobby Joel (Joe) Alford, 82, passed away June 11 at Athens Piedmont Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. A native of Ocilla, Georgia, he was born to Harry and Minnie Lou Alford on November 28, 1943.
His beginning in the workforce while in high school was at Cargile Groceries in Ocilla, GA. For most of his career he was employed by Georgia Power Company from 1968-1992. During his time there he served in multiple capacities including Party Chief at Plant Hatch, Plant Wansley, and Plant Scherer, Inspection Superior and Superintendent 1 at Plant Hatch, Plant Bowen and Plant Branch. After 28 years at Georgia Power, he contracted through the Southern Company via Via Tech Services, Inc. There he managed a $28 million project for Mississippi Plant Daniel. In his later years, he led many projects throughout the Southeast. These projects extended from Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Maryland and Texas. His final project was a South Texas Nuclear Project through Sun Technical where he served as an area manager for the turbine buildings. He was a proud graduate of Ocilla High School and held many Technical Development Training certifications in Management and Leadership Development, Technical Development Training in Soil & Concrete Inspection, Magnetic Particle Testing, Radiation Safety, Metallurgy and OSHA certification. His expertise was highly valued in the field of construction of power plants, dams, and all paving and road works throughout various Georgia Power plants. Joe proudly served in the National Guard and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Milledgeville, GA.
All who knew Joe admired him for his skills at grilling and cooking (nicknamed ‘The Chef,’) his love of family, his enthusiasm for the Georgia bulldogs, and his generosity toward others. He loved living on Lake Sinclair and treasured trips to Lake Blackshear with his extended family. He was an excellent storyteller as he reminisced about past adventures with family and friends. He especially took pride in his grandchildren and attended many of their sports events and valued his time with them boating and enjoying other water activities on the lake.
Joe was predeceased by his mother and father and two sisters, Dayton M. Page and Drama M. Norton. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Towson Alford; his daughter, Amanda (Robert) Long; his son, Chance Alford; and grandchildren Mackenzie Long, Kaiden Long, Kyler Long, and Bristol Alford.
A visitation will be held at Moores Funeral Home on Friday, June 19 from 5-6:30 pm and a graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 am at Brushy Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Ocilla, GA.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the University Cancer and Blood Center Cares Foundation of Athens.
Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.