posted October 5, 2008
Horace Donald Mansfield, 85, of Roswell, Ga., died on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008.
He was formerly of Dayton, Tn., where he grew up and was a legendary football player in high school and recruited by colleges all over the United States. He went to UT for a season, then served in the U.S. Air Force.
He married his sweetheart, Billie Fisher Mansfield, and began working at the Mansfield Coffee Shop in Dayton known as “Dayton Republican Headquarters” for many years.
He was employed by Peabody and Southern Coal Co., moving to St. Louis, Mo.; Waterloo, Iowa; and later moving to the Orlando, Fla., area. He started Freezette Corp., a fast-food restaurant chain that spanned Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
Afterward he settled in Sandy Springs, Ga., where he started Mansfield Sporting Goods, selling pitching machines and other sporting equipment for several years.
He also worked for Advanced Floor Machines for a short time. He became involved in real estate sales and was sales manager at Lake Arrowhead, a private resort and golf community club and Big Canoe resort.
He then started sales for International Rotor, which became Durastill Water Distillers. He was the first salesman and built the company from scratch growing into all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, England, Germany and Puerto Rico. He served on the board of directors for water quality for many years. He gave speeches and authored newspaper articles for many years.
During these times, he raised his son, George, who played little league, pony league and American Legion baseball and high school football. George was awarded a football scholarship at Austin Peay. Mr. Mansfield coached several of these teams over the years.
Mr. Mansfield served and taught Sunday school and was on the board of directors along with his wife, Billie, at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church for several years.
In 1983, he and his family moved to Roswell, Ga., and joined Roswell United Methodist Church. Mr. Mansfield gave to charitable causes such as Disabled Kids, March of Dimes, Methodists Children’s Home in Decatur, Ga., Youth of Roswell, and Dodd Youth House. He participated in many charitable golf tournaments.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Billie Fisher Mansfield.
He is survived by son, George Mansfield; and granddaughter, Michelle Mansfield, of Roswell.
The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Ken Scoggins officiating.
A private family burial will follow in Buttram Cemetery on Wednesday.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service (6-7 p.m.) at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to make contributions to “The Dodd House” at Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, GA 30075.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |