A.W. Anthony

Mr. A.W. Anthony, age 83, of Oak Park, died Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at his home while doing what he so enjoyed, cutting grass with his lawnmower. He was a native of Meansville in Pike County, Georgia and was a 1961 graduate of Pike County High School. He began a career in power and nuclear energy in the early 1960s at Arkwright in Macon, and moved to Vidalia in the early 1970s, working as a reactor operator at Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant and retiring after thirty-six years. He was the operator on duty when the first of the two reactors went online at Plant Hatch. He was a member of Georgia Power Ambassadors, he volunteered with the American Red Cross blood drives, Salvation Army, Open Doors to the Handicapped, and was an official “unofficial member” of Big Al’s Lunch Friends. He was a member of Vidalia Cornerstone Church and the Joel Thomas Sunday School Class. He held a second-degree black belt in karate, taught karate, ran and completed the Boston Marathon twice, and ran and completed the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta multiple times. He enjoyed hunting and feeding deer, traveling, working on the farm, collecting antiques and dishes, and he was an avid insulator collector.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Susan Wilkes Anthony; parents, Alva Melvin Anthony and Mae Dell Duke Anthony; and three brothers, Wayne Anthony, Weldon “Pete” Anthony, and Kenneth “Kenny” Anthony.

Mr. Anthony is survived by two sons, Leon Anthony and wife Kathy of Meansville, and Travis Anthony and wife Kimberly of Dexter; one brother, Alvis Anthony and wife Kathy of Meansville; nine grandchildren, Jake Anthony and wife Tabitha, Caleb Anthony, Emily Anthony, all of Meansville, Libby Anthony Brooks and husband J.B. of Nashville, Tennessee, Ashton Jackson and husband Evan of Milledgeville, Anna Anthony of Dublin, Brian Criswell of Ellijay, Layton Edge and Zander Cyree, both of Oak Park; four great-grandchildren, Raelynn, Claire, Brady, and Hailey; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

A private family graveside funeral service will be held on Sunday morning, March 22nd, 2026, at 10:00 at Jordan Wilkes Family Cemetery with Reverend David Blalock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Anthony’s memory are suggested to Open Doors to the Handicapped, PO Box 1202, Vidalia, GA 30475.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.