Bill Story, 85, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, August 10, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow at 3:30 PM on Tuesday at Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services in the chapel on Tuesday.
Mr. Story was born December 23, 1940, in Turner County, Georgia, to the late James L. & Beulah Pitts Story. He was a graduate of Turner County High School where he played basketball. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro, now Georgia Southern University. Mr. Story taught 10th grade Biology in Sylvester and Cordele and owned and operated the Cordele Record Shop for several years. He was a career insurance agent for New York Life and moved to Fitzgerald in 2004 from Cordele. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and enjoyed growing oranges. He loved riding his motorcycle and tinkering with cars of all vintages. Mr. Story was of the Baptist faith and will be greatly missed by his feline friend, Noodles.
He is survived by his wife, Laurene Smith Story of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: Russ & Julie Story of Douglas, Whit & Wendy Story of Fitzgerald, and Chris & Julie Ann Story of Athens, Alabama; grandchildren: Stephen & Ashley Story, Anna Story, Lauren & Colton Albritton, Abby Story, Megan Claire & Eric Seidelman, Keaton Story, Megan & Nick Newton, Hannah Compton, Grace Compton, Ryan Dorenkamp, and Dylan Dorenkamp; great-grandchildren: Riley Story, Sawyer Story, Adeline Lott, Madison Newton, Nash Newton, and Briggs Kash Seidelman; and a step-daughter, Kathy & Dan Stanley of Fitzgerald. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge long-time caregivers Jennifer Shelton and Evelyn McElroy. In addition to his parents, Mr. Story was preceded in death by his first wife, Marvlyn Stephens Story; a great-grandson, Lane Alan Seidelman; a brother, Conrad Story; and a sister, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Story Hardy.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Georgia Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries, 9420 Blackshear Hwy, SE, Baxley, GA 31513.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.