Willie Clyde Bland, age 93, of Tennille passed away on November 29, 2024 at the Washington County Extended Care Facility following a lengthy illness. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel of Sandersville with burial to follow in the Zeta Cemetery of Tennille. Reverend Redin Hodges III will officiate.
Mr. Bland was born in Washington County, the son of the late William Henry Bland and the late Mattie Lee Brown Bland. He was a veteran of the Korean War, honorably serving as an Air Force Staff Sergeant. Following his service, Clyde returned home and married Madge McAfee Bland, his wife of 47 years. Mr. Bland worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator and retired from American Industrial Clays. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his harvests with friends and neighbors. Clyde was a longtime member of the Tennille Christian Church, serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School Superintendent. For many years, Mr. Bland and Nick Dixon served weekly Sunday Communion to shut-ins and nursing home residents. Clyde was well-regarded for his work ethic, generosity, and ability to fix most anything.
Survivors include his daughters, Lisa B. Franklin and husband Tim of Tennille and Lynn B. McDonald and husband Ken of Tennille; grandchildren, William Franklin and wife Stefany of Tennille, Stewart McDonald and his wife Allison of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Melanie McDonald of Tennille; and great-grandchildren, Emily Franklin and Lawson Franklin of Tennille.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Linda Thomas for her faithful and loving care provided to Mr. Bland during his declining health. They are receiving friends at their respective homes on Stephens Road in Tennille.
Donations may be made to the Johnson University Madge M. Bland Memorial Preaching Scholarship Fund, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37998.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.