Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Inc. | Quitman, GA

Obituary For Willie Batchelor

Willie Davis Batchelor

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”

Maya Angelou

Willie D. Batchelor was a visionary leader that left an enduring legacy to his family and his community. He was never one to meet a stranger and always had a bright smile and kind words for everyone he encountered.

Willie D. Batchelor was born on April 7, 1934, to Charlie Mae Orange at an early age and through a loving relationship was adopted by Marie and Will Batchelor of Quitman, GA

“Willie D” as he was affectionally called, graduated from Brooks County Training School. He excelled in sports and was a superior athlete. He played on three state championship teams in football and track.

Upon graduation from high school, he enrolled in Savannah State University where he graduated with degrees in health education and biology. While attending Savannah State, he set the pole vault record at the National Relays at Tuskegee University. Wilma Rudolph, who later became the first American woman runner to win three gold medals in the Olympic Games, competed in the same National Relays. He achieved All Conference status as a football halfback averaging at least 1,000 yards per year. He was a candidate for All American in both his junior and senior years in college, which led to the recruitment by the St. Louis Cardinals. Unfortunately, an injury ended his NFL aspirations.

Willie D. Batchelor began his professional career as a teacher and coach at Cook County Training School. There he coached football, wrestling, track and girls’ basketball. The school fielded six conference championship teams and one state championship. One of his students would go on to play in the NFL. He would eventually transition to the integrated Cook High School where he would coach football, wrestling and teach Health/PE and Driver’s Ed.

While at the Cook County Training School, he got reacquainted with Julia Hendrix whom he had met once at Savannah State University through her uncle, Daniel Hendrix, a teacher from Quitman. They would go on to marry and have one daughter, Stephanie.

After 30 years of teaching, he retired. Always one to make a difference, he set his sights on making a greater impact on his community. He ran and became the first African American County Commissioner for Cook County, GA. During the years 1985 – 2006, the community would re-elect him and he would eventually retire as a commissioner. The county would eventually name the Public Works building in his honor, again another first for an African American in Cook County.

In addition to Julia Batchelor, his wife of 60 years, survivors include a daughter Stephanie A. Evans, an amazing and supportive son-in-love, Lonnie B. Evans, three grandchildren, Christian, Chandler and Lauren Evans. Four sisters, Dorothy Causer, Dr. Katetrina Williams, Ellen Valentine and Dr. Shirley (Nathaniel) Jackson. Two goddaughters Vickie (Daryl) Silas and Delayne (Delbert) Stephens Raiford. Several nephews, nieces and many friends and extended family.

Visitation is Friday, 1:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home and Saturday, 9:00 A.M. - 9:50 A.M. at the Family Life Center in Adel. There will be no viewing at the funeral service on Saturday.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10A.M. at the Adel Church of God Family Life Center in Adel, Georgia. Entombment follows at the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens in Valdosta, Georgia. To access livestream of the service and share condolences with the family, please visit this website on Saturday morning.

Continue to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Guest Book

Coach Bachelor, I think of the time you pulled me aside and let me know what position I would be the best at on defense. Thank you for your leadership and guidance.

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Thank you coach for the early talks in my life that have continued to provide guidance. I am certain He has called you home. Love you coach. Fred

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My condolences to my Sorors,I have such fond memories of Coach and the many laughs we shared at the lunch table at CHS. I smile when I think of him. He was such an upstanding guy who wanted the best for everyone. He will be greatly missed.

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With deepest sympathy to the Bachelor / Evans families. Our prayers are for strength, comfort, and peace during this time and afterwards. From your cousins(PEG) Poole,Cobb,Cromer,Harris, Ellis, Brown, Scott-Hester, Scott, Pridgon, Bonds, Hunter, Jackson, Francis, Henry,Johnson, Bateman , Hunt , and Evan families.

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"Take comfort in knowing that those we love will be reunited in eternity." Coach Batchelor was quite instrumental in guiding me through high school at CCTS (Cook County Training School). We thank his family for sharing him with us - the Class of 1966. Mr. Cal R. Thomas

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My deepest condolences to my Sorors Julia and Stephanie as well as the rest of the family. You will be in my prayers. Wanda Wright Todd

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My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Batchelor, Stephanie, L.B., his grand-babies and to your entire family. In Coach Batchelor... you can INDEED "hold your heads high!" He left an indelible mark on so many lives, and his legacy will continue to live on through us ALL. My prayers are with the family and we pray your strength in this trying time. With Love, O'Brent Edwards, Class of 1985

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We love you so much. Keeping you in our thoughts and covering you all with prayer. Brian and Shirlinda Thomas

- Shirlinda Thomas

Our deepest Condolences to you and your family during this time. From the Comcast Facilities Team.

- Angelia Miller

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. May God give strength and comfort you always. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Mrs. Melvina T. Copeland and children, Kim, Danny, Victor, and Janice.

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I am a former driver's ed student of Coach Batchelor's and I just wanted to let his family know what a wonderful,well respected and dearly loved man he was. There will never be another "Coach" like him. Will miss that beautiful smile, but I'm sure he's smiling now in the presence of our Lord. My thoughts and prayers for his family and for all of us that loved him. He will definitely be missed.🙏 Missi Griffin Haldane

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Coach Batchelor was one of a kind. He was always concerned about our character and he insisted that we received good grades. I was in the last class of the old school..1970 we were the Rams...25 years after graduation I was walking up Peachtree in Atlanta when I noticed the most dapper man wearing a brown suit..I called out...Coach!!..he stopped and turned, looking at me with that big smile ☺....God Bless His Soul

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My deepest condolences, He was sure a nice and sweet caring man, with an understanding smile, he gave to everyone he encountered with. He will be missed 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

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I'm so very sorry for your loss!

- Tony Giddens

Prayers for the family of Coach Bachelor. He was my driver's ed teacher, and a good and patient man.

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Praying for the family and friends of Coach. I knew him in my younger years. He was my landlord and Everytime he seen me he gave me words of encouragement and wisdom. I still carry to this day. He met no stranger. This breaks my heart, but God needed him home. Take your rest Coach. -Lindsy Vickers-

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I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU DAD- VICKIE, DARRYL,JAIER,JARRETT,KAI AND GREY

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Inc. | Quitman, GA

- Pamela White