William Joel McRay

William Joel McRay, age 65, of  Union Point, GA, died surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, GA. He was born on September 12, 1955, in Monroe, GA, to the late William Dan McRay and Betty Joyce Thomas McRay.  He attended school in Social Circle through the second grade before moving to Union Point and graduated from Greene County High School.  After high school Joel attended the University of Georgia.  Joel had been in the florists business since 1973 and opened his own business in April of 1979. It was called Joel’s and in 1996 he bought Greensboro Florist.  Along with running the florist he was President of the Greene County Historical Society and Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission for Greensboro and Union Point.   He was also a member of the Sons of the Confederacy,  Sons of the American Revolution, and the Union Point Garden Club.  He wrote the history of Union Point and served on the Union Point City Council.  Since 2000 he was the Greene County Historian and always said he was an exceptional genealogist and knitter.
 
Joel was a great friend to many and enjoyed sharing his talents. Joel was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.  He was very proud of his collection of antiques and was always  interested in helping others who enjoyed collecting antiques. Over the years he had handled many estate sales.
 
He is survived by his sister and her husband, Cheryl McRay Eley and Keith of Siloam, GA; cousins, Drew McRay and June Boisclaire; aunts, Kittie Herring, Geraldine McRay and Catherine “Cat” McRay; and close family friends, Bud Kennedy, Mac Hall, Algie Jones, Chris Lawson, Judy Hodnett, Becky Baysden, Irene Cordele, Ben Stephens, John Cawthon, Lucyle Hall and Joan Eubanks. He was especially close to Travis, Cynthia, Tyler and Travarus Rivers. 
 
A Graveside Service will be held Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Wisteria Cemetery, Rhodes Street, Union Point, GA 30669 with Rev. Bill Combs officiating.  The family requests memorials be made to American Diabetes Association, 75 Marietta Street NW, Suite 304, Atlanta, GA 30303.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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