William Melvin Heaton, Sr., 94, formerly of Milan, passed away Thursday, September 9, at McRae Manor Nursing Home.  A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:30P.M., Sunday, September 12, at Midway United Methodist Church Cemetery.  Visitation will begin at 2:00P.M., prior to the service.  Reverend Aubrey Corbitt will officiate.

Mr. Heaton was the last surviving child of the late John Dewey Heaton and the late Ida Patterson Heaton.  He was a graduate of Ocmulgee High School and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and attended the University of Georgia.  Mr. Heaton taught vocational agriculture at Milan High School before becoming the owner of Heaton Trucking and Heaton Truck Sales until retirement.  He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church #2 and, in later years, attended Milan Baptist Church.  Mr. Heaton was a 70-year Master Mason of Milan Lodge No. 393.

Survivors include the mother of his children, Mary J. Grimsley, formerly of Milan, GA; his children, Marilyn Heaton of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Bill (Sheila) Heaton of McRae, GA; grandchildren, Haylee Heaton of McRae; Christy (Brett) Miller of Waycross and David (Kristen) Attaway of Dublin; and great-grandchildren, Rylee Jane Miller, Amelia Jo Miller and Connor Attaway.  Mr. Heaton was preceded in death by his longtime companion, Doris Boney and is survived by her children, Janet Henry, Cindy (Joey) Jones and grandchildren, Ashley (Brett) Bland, Kyle (Taylor) Jones and great-grandchildren, Toby and Presley, all of Milan.

The family can be reached at the home of Bill and Sheila Heaton, 215 Heath Crossing Rd., McRae, GA 31055.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Milan Baptist Church, P.O. Box 157, Milan, GA 31060, or to Antioch Baptist Church #2, P.O. Box 64, Milan, GA 31060.