William Earl Manley

Services for William Earl Manley, 87, of Dublin will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 in the Chan Stanley Memorial Chapel of Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory. The Rev. Tommy Veal will officiate, with burial to follow in the cemetery of Pinehill Church, 2242 U.S. 441, Dublin.

Mr. Manley was born on Sept. 25, 1935, in Tifton, Georgia, to the late DeWitt Manley and Ethel Johnson Manley. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Nell, who along with their mother passed away shortly after her birth. He attended Tift County schools, where in fifth grade he met the love of his life and eventual wife of 61 years, Sara Arrington Manley. As a child, he promised his father that when he got married "there won't be one little boy playing in the backyard," and he and Sara kept their backyard full with five children of their own and lots of neighborhood kids over to play ball, ride bikes or just hang out.

After graduating from Tift County High School, Mr. Manley attended South Georgia Trade School (now Georgia Southwestern) in Americus, majoring in diesel mechanics. He was a talented mechanic who worked many years for Graham Bros. Construction Co. before returning to and retiring as service manager from the Carlton Co. Caterpillar dealership in Dublin.

He was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of Pinehill Church, serving as trustee, Sunday school superintendent, a district lay speaker for the Methodist church and in numerous other positions. He was a big Georgia Bulldog fan (any sport) and loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports or perform in the band or on stage.

He enjoyed fishing, woodworking in his shop, gardening and cooking on his smoker, and he was an avid reader, especially after retirement. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV with his wife, having driven across the country after they both retired. Most of all, Mr. Manley loved his family and spending time together on holidays or at fish frys. He was a loving and kind husband, father and grandfather, or "Papa Earl," to his 36 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Manley passed away on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at home with his family. In addition to his parents and sister, Mr. Manley was preceded in death by his stepmother, Sarah Manley; his wife, Sara Arrington Manley;  a son, Steven Earl Manley; and a daughter-in-law, Michelle Manley.

He is survived by his daughter, Tammie (Gordon) Cartee of Madison; sons, Rodney (Holly) Manley of East Dublin, Russell (Missy) Manley of Augusta and Greg (Kellie) Manley of Dexter; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2022 at the funeral home.

Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of arrangements.