John William “J. W.” Greenwood, 84, of Trion, Georgia, died on Monday, June 18, 2012 at his residence.
Mr. Greenwood was born in Trion, on Sept. 6, 1927, the son of the late Robert Emmett Greenwood and Ella Cordelia Cannon Greenwood.
He was a 1945 graduate of Trion High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball, and was a 1953 graduate of the University of Georgia. Mr. Greenwood was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Trion First Baptist Church, where he was deacon, and taught the Adult Men’s Sunday school class.
He was a member of the Trion Golf and Fishing Club. Prior to his retirement, he was the athletic director at the Trion Community Center, a Physical Education teacher and coach in the Trion School System, where he coached high school baseball, tennis, golf and football, as well as the Trion Recreation department football teams.
Mr. Greenwood was the director of the Trion Recreation Department for 21 years, formed the Trion Alumni Association, and helped form the Trion 50 Yard Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth “Beta” Hayes Greenwood; and two sisters, Grace Love and Robbie Camp.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Robin and Donna Greenwood; daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Stephen Lanier; grandchildren, Drew Lanier, Laci Lanier, and Grace Greenwood; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 22, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of the Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Woods and Dr. Floyd Roebuck officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Raymond Tripp, Lester Griffitt, Albert Palmour, and Dwight Hardin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Deacons and Men’s Sunday School Class, Trion Alumni, Tommy Bean, Andy Bean, Eddie Shireman, Alex Baker, Dennis Durham, Jerry Archer, Tate Giles and Bill Kinzy.
Mr. Greenwood will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends on Thursday, June 21, from 5-8 p.m.