Official Obituary of
W. J. Shannon
June 11, 1944 ~ December 16, 2017 (age 73) 73 Years Old
W. Shannon Obituary
William Joel (W. J.) Shannon, age 73, of Jackson Lake, went to Heaven early Saturday morning, December 16, 2017 at the Medical Center in Macon, GA. He was born June 11, 1944 in Opelika, AL son of the late I.B. and Alma Mae Hatchett Shannon. He was preceded in death by one brother, Howard Ray Shannon. WJ was the wonderful and loving husband of Brenda Adams Shannon, and would have celebrated their 43rd anniversary next week. In addition to his wife, WJ is survived by several very close cousins and many local friends who were like brothers and sisters.
WJ graduated from Griffin High School in 1964 and attended Gordon College in Barnesville. He was an entrepreneur owning a retail clothing store in Griffin for much of his adult life. After retirement, he managed his real estate investments and spent time doing all the myriad of hobbies he loved. WJ was an avid historian, and enjoyed researching and collecting artifacts. As a Board member of the Butts County Historical Society and the Ocmulgee Archaeological Society, he singlehandedly established the Artifacts Room at the Indian Springs Hotel (ca 1823) and organized the state's largest Artifacts Day for the last nine years. WJ helped to map the exact historical crossings of the civil war troops and worked to legitimize the location of the first Creek settlement in our County. He was a champion of the Ocmulgee River, of Indian Springs, and of all things historical in Butts County. WJ loved the lake and kayaking, and spent many days on Seven Islands. He loved waking to and posting pictures on Facebook of the view from his Jackson Lake home with his lovely wife by his side.
He loved old cars and he loved music. WJ and his good friend, Walter Carmichael, presented the land owner in Indian Springs, he called "Boss Lady", with their desire for a little larger area than her 10'x10' gazebo for their impromptu pickin' and grinnin' sessions. This little idea culminated in the building of the 10,000 square foot Indian Springs Amphitheater with WJ and Walter's favorite keyboard player, formerly with the Allman Brothers and now with the Rolling Stones, coming to be a judge at a talent show and his sending his sound team to design acoustics. WJ was a great supporter of The Village at Indian Springs and will be missed by all there. A memorial will be placed at the Amphitheater to show the Village's appreciation for his ideas, positive attitude and significant cultural impact.
A Celebration of Life for W.J. Shannon will be held Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 11:00AM at the Buggy House, #10 North Mulberry Street in Jackson, GA, beside Verizon on the square. Immediately following the service, the family invites all to stay and enjoy lunch provided by friends of WJ from The Village at Indian Springs from 12:00PM - 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are asked to be made to the Butts County Historical Society, P.O. Box 215, Jackson, GA 30233.
Haisten Funeral Home of Jackson, GA is in charge of arrangements. Memorial Service
Saturday, Dec 23, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Buggy House
10 Mulberry Street
Jackson, GA 30233
WJ graduated from Griffin High School in 1964 and attended Gordon College in Barnesville. He was an entrepreneur owning a retail clothing store in Griffin for much of his adult life. After retirement, he managed his real estate investments and spent time doing all the myriad of hobbies he loved. WJ was an avid historian, and enjoyed researching and collecting artifacts. As a Board member of the Butts County Historical Society and the Ocmulgee Archaeological Society, he singlehandedly established the Artifacts Room at the Indian Springs Hotel (ca 1823) and organized the state's largest Artifacts Day for the last nine years. WJ helped to map the exact historical crossings of the civil war troops and worked to legitimize the location of the first Creek settlement in our County. He was a champion of the Ocmulgee River, of Indian Springs, and of all things historical in Butts County. WJ loved the lake and kayaking, and spent many days on Seven Islands. He loved waking to and posting pictures on Facebook of the view from his Jackson Lake home with his lovely wife by his side.
He loved old cars and he loved music. WJ and his good friend, Walter Carmichael, presented the land owner in Indian Springs, he called "Boss Lady", with their desire for a little larger area than her 10'x10' gazebo for their impromptu pickin' and grinnin' sessions. This little idea culminated in the building of the 10,000 square foot Indian Springs Amphitheater with WJ and Walter's favorite keyboard player, formerly with the Allman Brothers and now with the Rolling Stones, coming to be a judge at a talent show and his sending his sound team to design acoustics. WJ was a great supporter of The Village at Indian Springs and will be missed by all there. A memorial will be placed at the Amphitheater to show the Village's appreciation for his ideas, positive attitude and significant cultural impact.
A Celebration of Life for W.J. Shannon will be held Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 11:00AM at the Buggy House, #10 North Mulberry Street in Jackson, GA, beside Verizon on the square. Immediately following the service, the family invites all to stay and enjoy lunch provided by friends of WJ from The Village at Indian Springs from 12:00PM - 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are asked to be made to the Butts County Historical Society, P.O. Box 215, Jackson, GA 30233.
Haisten Funeral Home of Jackson, GA is in charge of arrangements. Memorial Service
Saturday, Dec 23, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Buggy House
10 Mulberry Street
Jackson, GA 30233
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