Dr. Eugene Sexton

Hephzibah, GA - Dr. William Eugene Sexton, 88, husband of 69 years to Martha Frances Greenway Sexton, entered into rest Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held Monday, February 27, 2023, at 3:00 PM from the chapel of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors with Dr. Michael Wren officiating. Interment will follow in Hephzibah Vance Cemetery. William Eugene Sexton was born May 8, 1934, in Gainesville, GA to William Ottis Sexton and Omar Jane Allen Sexton. He attended Lyman Hall School from 1940 until graduation in 1951. Immediately after graduation at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his twenty year military career he received the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and twenty-one other medals and ribbons. He served his entire military career in the Intelligence Field which included tours in Korea, Okinawa, and Vietnam. He was on the team that briefed the last pilot to be killed in the Korean War. While serving in Okinawa, he received a special assignment to Bangkok, Thailand, where he had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. The King personally thanked him for what he was doing for his country. In his last duty assignment he served as Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Headquarters, 7th Air Force Special Intelligence Warning Center, Saigon, Vietnam. Immediately after his return from Vietnam, he retired from the United States Air Force with a total of twenty years and one day of service. He entered the Gospel Ministry immediately after his Air Force retirement. He graduated twice from Baptist College of Florida, in Graceville, with degrees in Sacred Music and Religious Education. He received the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Southern Baptist Center for Biblical Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. He pastored for thirty years as Lead Pastor, Minister of Music or Minister of Education; he served Kinston Baptist Church, Shaw Heights Baptist Church, Hopeful Baptist Church, Glenn Hills Baptist Church, Magnolia Baptist Church, Colston Baptist Church, Whispering Pines Baptist Church, and First Christian Church. He was certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council of Georgia as a Law Enforcement Chaplain. He served twenty-six years as Chaplain for the City of Hephzibah, and thirteen years as Chaplain for the Waynesboro, Georgia Police Department. At his death, he was a member of Hephzibah Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Donna Lynn Pettigrew, of Denver, CO, Debora Anne Wilder, of Lynchburg, VA, and Sandra Denise Moss, of Aiken, SC; seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; his brothers, Bill Sexton(Judy) and Jerry Sexton; and his sister, Martha Hartley (Jim). He was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Sexton, Harry Sexton, and Leroy Sexton; his sister, Barbara Hicks, and by his daughter, Tammy Jean Shaw. The family will receive friends Sunday, February 26, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. If so desired memorial contributions may be made to Hephzibah Baptist Church, 2527 Georgia Hwy 88, Hephzibah, GA 30815.

Dr. Eugene Sexton

February 24, 2023