John Paul Gill

ELLAVILLE, GA --- Mr. John Paul Gill, age 55, of Ellaville, GA, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at his home. A memorial service will be held at the Ellaville Methodist Church on Saturday, March 10, at 2 PM with Reverend Brooks Partain and Reverend Robert Beckum officiating. The family will receive friends at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in Ellaville on Friday evening, March 9, from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Mr. Gill was born in Americus, Ga. the son, of the late Paul Leon Gill and the late Alice Walker Coffin Gill of Ellaville. His father, a prominent banker, pharmacist and former mayor of Ellaville served as a State Senator from the 13th District of Georgia. His mother also served in the State Senate from the 12th District. Mrs. Gill was the second woman to serve as a Senator in the State Legislature.

Mr. Gill graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in 1978 and an MBA in 1979 from the Terry School of Business of the University. With the death of his father in 1975, he became President of the Bank of Ellaville. Under his leadership, the Bank of Ellaville became the Central Bank of Georgia with branches in Butler, Buena Vista, Cusseta and Macon Georgia.

He will be remembered for his many years of service to the Ellaville and Americus communities. He served as Chairman and President of Bank of Ellaville and Central Bank of Georgia for 37 years. He served as Chairman of Finance Committee of Magnolia Manor and long time trustee. He was a member of Georgia Southwestern State University Board of Trustees and Finance Committee, Secretary of Schley County Industrial Corporation for many years and many other local and civic organizations. He was a lifelong member of Ellaville United Methodist Church. He often expressed his pride in Ellaville and his desire to promote its growth with new businesses and industry.

Mr. Gill is survived by his two children, Elizabeth Walker Gill and John Paul "Jack" Gill, Jr. of Americus and two sisters, Paula Elizabeth Gill Williams (Nelson) of Americus and Alice Coffin Brown (Dr. W. Virgil) of Atlanta. He is also survived by seven nephews: Turner Nelson Williams, IV of Americus, John Paul Williams of Athens, William Matthew Brown (Janie) of Birmingham, AL, Peter Coffin Brown (Laurie) of Atlanta, Charles Alston Coffin, Jr. (Sydney) of Charlotte, NC, Dr. David Wilson Coffin (Dr. Janis) of Augusta, and Samuel Lee Coffin of Cambridge, MA. A number of cousins also survive.

Memorials and contributions may be made to Ellaville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 74, Ellaville, GA 31806 or The League of the Good Samaritan, c/o Magnolia Manor, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709.

Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville, GA is in charge of arrangements.