Walter Dorsey Stancil

Walter Dorsey Stancil, 69, a lifelong resident the Buford area, died December 8 after a courageous battle with cancer and unexpected complications from chemotherapy. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jean Ramey Stancil; children, Alida (Tom) Knuth, Emily (Brenden) Love and Andy (Jennifer) Stancil; grandchildren, Madison Hinckley, Kyle Knuth, Brian Knuth, Kevin Knuth, Claire Knuth, Morgan Love, Davis Stancil and Samuel Stancil; a brother, Wayne (Clara) Stancel; brothers-in-law, Bill Ramey and Lavon Hair; nephews and nieces, Eli (Stephanie) Stancel, Elly Stancel, Bonnie (Travis) Duncan, Kay (David) Mauldin, Jody Hair and Mike Hair. Also surviving are close personal friends, Randall and Barbara Mahaffey. Dorsey was born October 10, 1947, in Buford, Georgia, to Samuel W. Stancel and Omie Lee Puckett Stancel. He was a 1965 graduate and STAR Student of Buford High School and a 1969 graduate of Piedmont College with a degree in History and Chemistry. He taught school in Buford for two years before he began work with the Gwinnett County Water System where he worked for twenty seven years as an operator, chemist, technical supervisor and superintendent. After retirement from Gwinnett County, he became Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Buford, a position he held for 18 years until his death. Dorsey was a master storyteller with an encyclopedic knowledge of history and an avid interest in genealogy. He was a member and past president of the Gwinnett Historical Society and was author of Vanishing Gwinnett and Vanishing Gwinnett, Volume II. Descended from founders of our country and a number of Revolutionary and Confederate veterans, he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), General Society of the War of 1812, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), Children of the American Revolution (CAR), Sons of the American Legion, and Scottish heritage societies, where he served in leadership roles. Dorsey was a member of Duncan Creek Congregational Church, then St. Edward Episcopal Church, and finally Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church. He sang in the choirs of these churches and served as a Sunday School teacher, vestryman, senior warden, and lay reader. He will be remembered by friends and family for his generous spirit and the sense of fun that he brought to every endeavor. He was extraordinarily kind to all those who crossed his path, and well known for his hugs, which he dispensed freely if he thought there was any chance he knew you. Dorsey's family will receive visitors on Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford, Georgia. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 12, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, 4346 Ridge Road, Buford, Georgia 30519. Dorsey's life and work testified to his devotion to service to the poor and less fortunate, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341; the building fund at St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, 4346 Ridge Road, Buford, GA 30519; or any other charity whose mission is bringing aid, comfort, and compassion to God's creatures. To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

Walter Dorsey Stancil

December 8, 2016