William Penn Selman Jr., 87, of Summerville, Georgia, died on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, due to complications resulting from an extended illness.
Born on Sept, 19, 1928, he attended Summerville Elementary School, McCallie High School in Chattanooga, and the University of Georgia. Upon graduation He married Patricia McManus of Athens, GA., whom he met while at University of Georgia. He immediately returned to Summerville to join his grandfather Dr. O.A. Selman at uncle Tom Hill Selman in the family business, W.P. & T.H. Selman Co. His business career also included management of Selman Hardware, started in 1948. In 1965 He, his mother, Mary T. Selman, and Stanley Selman formed a partnership known as S & S Cattle Co., raising and selling registered Black Angus Cattle. He was very active in the Black Angus Associating. S & S’s grand champion bull, S & S Ankonian Ambassador, was featured with a cover photo and story in the Atlanta Journal’s Sunday Parade magazine. Noted writer, Floyd Jillson, came to Summerville for the interview with Mr. Selman and photos. Buyers from a dozen states came to Summerville for Ankonian Ambassador’s production sales. These sales were attended by officials of the Black Angus Association. W.P. (Bill) Selman served his county in many ways during the 19p60’s. He served on the Chattooga Board of Education as chairman for 8 years. During this tenure, the first modern High School was built and the county schools were integrated and consolidated without incident. He was elected Ward I City Councilman from 1960-1968. He and 4 other men ran for office as a “citizen’s” ticket for mayor and council. They were elected and served the county in this capacity for $1.00 per year salary. They qualified on Oct. 28, 1959. Bill was President of the Jaycee’s, the lions club, a member of Masons and Shriners, served in the Summerville Cemetery Corporation; he was a hard worker, honest, and ethical and with his partner perfected a successful way of AI, using S & S Ankonian Ambassador as sire for registered Black Angus producers in the southwest of U. S. A. In the late 1980’s He managed his father-in-law’s veneer business, Bennettsville Veneer Co., Bennettsville, S.C. due to a heart attack suffered by Mr. McManus, Pat’s father.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia M. Selman; sons, William Penn Selman, III & wife Anna of Rock Springs, WY, Tom Hill Selman, II & wife Juanita of Midland, TX, Charles M. Selman & wife Maggie of Marietta, GA, and John Penn Selman & wife Dobronya of Cumming, GA,; six grandchildren, Wm. P. Selman, IV of Atlanta, GA, Tom Hill Selman of Midland, TZ, Charles M. Selman, Jr. of Marietta, GA, Brittany Selman of Cumming, GA and Alisa A. Erkes of Smyrna, GA; great-grandchildren, Ellie Selman, Midland, TX, Penn Selman, V and Payton Selman, Atlanta.
A memorial celebration of his life, conducted by Rev. Lee Humphreys, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, in the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, with visitation from 10 A.M. until the time of service. Pallbearers Tommy H. Selman, Will Selman, Charles Selman, Stuart Erkes, Leonard Barrett, David Romine. Honorary Pallbearers are the Communicants of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Linda & David Chandler, Gina & Clinton Agnew, Reba & David Welch, Ann & Kirk Kruegar, Bobby Lee Cook, &Family; the Austin Family.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home of Summerville has charge of arrangements.