During the Monday, June 18 City Council meeting, Sandersville Mayor Jimmy Andrews remembered two leaders of the Washington County community – George Thomas ‘Tommy’ Walker, Jr. and Benjamin James Tarbutton, Jr.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve lost two good community leaders,” said Mayor Andrews.
George Thomas ‘Tommy’ Walker, Jr. passed away on May 28. He was 77 years old. Walker had owned and operated Walker Tire Company, a business that his father and grandmother started in the 1950s.
Sandersville Mayor Andrews noted that Walker had served as Mayor of the City of Sandersville. He had also served as Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
Benjamin James Tarbutton, Jr. passed away on June 9. He was 90 years old. Tarbutton had a lifelong career with the Sandersville Railroad Company; he worked there for 65 years, and had served as president, vice president and director. He was a director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce for many years. In 1992, Tarbutton was honored as Washington County’s Citizen of the Year.
“He had always been very supportive of the City, and the economic development side of it, especially,” said Mayor Andrews. He added, “If it wasn’t for the Tarbutton family with the railroad and the trucking company, and many other interests – they have provided a lot of support and jobs for Sandersville and Washington County.”
Mayor Andrews continued by saying that Walker and Tarbutton will be missed in the community.
“They cared about the City, the County, and the whole State,” said Mayor Andrews, who asked the public to continue to keep the Walker and Tarbutton families in their thoughts and prayers.
Sandersville Mayor Pro-Tem Jeffery Smith stated that a celebration of George Thomas ‘Tommy’ Walker, Jr.’s life will take place on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Sandersville. A memorial service will be held for Benjamin James Tarbutton, Jr. on Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at the Sandersville United Methodist Church.
Benjamin James Tarbutton, Jr.
George Thomas ‘Tommy’ Walker, Jr.
