William Thomas "Tommy" Herring

Funeral services for Mr. William Thomas "Tommy" Herring, age 84, will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Richard N. Stanley Memorial Chapel with burial to follow at Bay Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Roger Byrd, Dr. Ron Bracewell and Rev. Donnie Pollard will officiate. Mr. Herring was born March 19, 1935 in Paine City -Macon, Georgia, to the late Willie Thomas Herring and Mabel Ruby Adams. Although he was educated in the Macon Schools, he called Paine City his home where he played football and baseball. He also worked as a bicycle delivery boy for the local grocery store in Paine City where he met the love of his life, Leona Elizabeth Foskey, who would later become his wife. Tommy joined the United States Navy in 1952. His sea duty in the Navy carried him worldwide. He bravely served during the Korean War aboard a troop transport ship. He was also stationed in Key West, FL during the Cuban Crisis where he was deployed with the unit associated with top-secret information. His other assignments took him to San Diego,California; Pensacola, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Brunswick, Georgia and Africa. Tommy retired after 20 years of dedicated service for his country. After his naval retirement, he was employed with Civil Service for 15 years as a classifier with Warner Robins Air Force Base. During his employment, he accepted a TDY assigned that transferred him and Leona to Yokata, Japan for 4 years. His experience and love for traveling served him well as a driver for C&H Bus Lines where he drove for guided tours throughout the United States. He also enjoyed extending his driving duties for the employees traveling from Dublin to the Air Force Base. After 35 years of service, Tommy decided it was time to focus on time with family. One of Tommy's greatest passions was golfing. He became a member of the "Good 'Ol Boys" golf team in Dublin, GA where he enjoyed playing tournaments. Square Dancing was a passion shared between Tommy and Leona. They were active members of the Irish Reeler's Square Dancing Group. Their love for square dancing even followed them during their stay in Japan, where they were instructors to the "Yokata Ramblers". Tommy was an active member of Bay Springs Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent until his passing. He was the bass singer for the "Gospel Sowers" during the late 70's and an active member of the American Legion Post #44. He was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Leona, for 63 memorable years. His most prized possessions were his 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Mr. Herring passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2019. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife - Leona Herring of Scott; his sister - Phyllis (Donnie) Pollard of Rome; his son - Tim (Sheila) Herring; his daughter - Tammy Ann (Ricky) Dixon; both of Scott; his four grandchildren – Trent (Toni Lynn) Herring of Dublin; Tyler (Ashton) Herring of Evans; Erica (Scotty) Beegle of Brooklet; Kyle Dixon of Scott; and six great-grandchildren – Tucker Herring, Tanna Rae Herring, Tatum Herring, Bailey Kate Herring, Annabelle Beegle, Rosalee Beegle. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:45 P.M., Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the funeral home. The internment with full military honors will take place at Bay Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jay Foskey, Trent Herring, Tyler Herring, Erica Beegle, Kyle Dixon and Scotty Beegle. Members of American Legion Post 0044 will serve as honorary pallbearers. Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.