Andrew Wilson White Jr

Watkinsville - Dr. Andrew Wilson White, Jr., was born August 1, 1927, in Thomaston, Georgia, the son of Dr. and Mrs. A.W. White, Sr. He was educated in the Macon public school system, then completed his final year of high school at Tifton High School, Tifton, Georgia.
He began his college career at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at Tifton, Georgia, in 1945 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949 with a B.S. degree in Agronomy. After graduation he returned home to teach in the Tift County school system during 1950 and 1951 as a Veteran's Vocational Agriculture Instructor. He entered military service on January 24, 1952, in the Army Signal Corps and saw service in Germany. He was discharged December 21,1953, He received a Master's Degree in Agronomy from the University of Georgia in 1956 and his Ph.D in 1969.
He began his career with the federal government in 1951 at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia, conducting research on soil fertility and runoff and soil erosion. He joined the staff at the Southern Piedmont Research Center in Watkinsville, Georgia, in 1961 to conduct research on soil fertility and management problems, pesticide persistence in soils and water pollution caused by fertilizers and pesticides in run-off and from farm lands. He was transferred to the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory at Byron, Georgia, to investigate soil problems associated with pecan production. He returned to the Southern Piedmont Research Center in 1982 to initiate a new high priority study dealing with soil erosion and crop productivity, where he retired in 1983.
Immediately upon retirement he was elected Mayor of the City of Watkinsville, Georgia, serving in this capacity for two years. He was a member of Oconee Utility Authority during the eighties actively involved in development of the Calls Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. He later served on the City Council (1997-2003) and the Oconee County Planning Commission (1997-2002). He was an active member of many organizations including the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Soil Conservation Society of America, and the Southeast Pecan Growers Association. He is a former president of the Georgia Chapter, American Society of Agronomy. He is listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest and in American Men and Women of Science.
He was a member of the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church since 1961, serving on many committees and in many leadership roles, including Men's Club, the Progressive Sunday School Class, Church treasurer and Board Chairman. Dr. White has been recognized for outstanding achievements in his field of research, receiving a "Certificate of Merit" from theUSDA in 1968 and a 1975 award for "Meritorious Service for 4-H" for contributions to its land judging programs in Georgia. In 1985 he received the "Commendation Award" for accomplishments in erosion-productivity research from the Georgia Chapter Soil Conservation Society of America. He has worked with Boy Scouts, Band Boosters, 4-H.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise Owens White, sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Kim of Watkinsville, and Garry and Jenanne of Bishop. Six Grandchildren, Jay, Josh, Kail, Morgan and Walker White, and Drew and Griffin Cash, three great grandchildren, Chloe and Jason White and Blake Cash, one brother, Hershel White (Vivian), two sisters, Faye White Swain, and Joy White Blalock (Billy), and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 6 until 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at Watkinsville First United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 3:00 PM. Mr. White will lie in state at the church on Thursday from 1 until 2 PM. Interment will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012 at the Pitts City Cemetery at 2:00 PM.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers that memorial donations be made to Watkinsville First United Methodist Church Youth, or to the Oconee County 4-H.
Lord and Stephens WEST is in charge of arrangements.