J.W. Hudson, 86, of Ocilla died Wednesday, October 18 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM Friday, October 20, at Ocilla Baptist Church, with Rev. Robert Couey and Rev. Clayton Dowd officiating. Interment will follow at Frank Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Thursday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Hudson was born June 19, 1920 in the Frank Community of Irwin County to the late Dudley and Ella Frances Williams Hudson. He lived his life in Irwin County and was a farmer. Serving four years in the U.S. Army from 1941-1945, he was a member of the 782nd Tank Battalion in World War II. He fought in the European Theater landing at Normandy Beach on D+3. He fought through France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Hudson was a Staff Sergeant in charge of 5 tanks and 25 soldiers. He was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church and formerly served on the First State Bank Board of Directors. He was currently a member of the Board of Directors for Planters First Bank. He was honored by the Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year. He was an avid supporter of athletic programs for young people and founded the Youth League. He received the J.S. Leger Award and was an honorary Young Farmer.
Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife: Nita Luke Hudson, Ocilla; son and daughter-in-law: John W., Jr. & Jackie Hudson, Ocilla; three grandchildren and their spouses: John W. III “Trey” & Amy Hudson, Jessica & Lanier McCurdy, and Justin Hudson, all of Ocilla; two great-grandchildren: John W. “Wil” Hudson, IV and Dru Hudson, both of Ocilla; one brother: Newt Hudson, Rochelle; and one sister: Beverly Bauerband, Boyton Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by a son: Charles D. Hudson, grandson: Jack Allen “Doc” Hudson, and five brothers: Homer D., Wilson, Ted, Randall & Milton.