William Larry Grimsley, Sr., 67, of Poulan, GA, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Willson Hospice House. Funeral services were held Saturday at 3 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Mike Carter officiated. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester, GA with Military Honors. The Albany Police Honor Guard served as active pallbearers.
A native of Bibb County, GA, Mr. Grimsley grew up in Macon, GA, joined the United States Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart. After recuperating in Charleston, SC he was transferred to Albany, GA in 1966 where he remained until moving to Poulan, GA in 2005.
Mr. Grimsley was a Patrol Sergeant for the Albany Police Department and retired after 23 years. He was employed with the Dougherty County Police Department for four years before serving with the Sylvester Police Department as an instructor.
Mr. Grimsley received his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Albany Junior College (now Darton College) and was a member of the VFW Post # 2785, the American Legion and the Peace Officers Association of Georgia.
Survivors include his wife, Fran Grimsley of Poulan, GA; three sons and their wives, Larry and Sharon Grimsley, Jr. and Michael and Tanya Grimsley all of Sylvester, GA and David and Jessica Grimsley of Lee County, GA; a brother and his wife, Terry and Wanda Grimsley of Macon, GA; seven grandchildren, Sergeant Steven Grimsley, USMC and his wife, Hillary of Okinawa, Japan, Kirstian Grimsley, Justin Semrau, Jake Semrau, Michael Dylan Grimsley and Matt Grimsley all of Sylvester, GA and Derrick Grimsley of Lee County, GA; and two great-grandchildren, Aiden Grimsley and Rileigh Grimsley.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA, 31707.
The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Mathews Funeral Home.
To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews’ website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com