William Elton Keaton, 69, of Lee County, Ga, died Monday, March 21, 2016 at the Le Conte Medical Center in Sevierville, TN. The son of the late William Earl Keaton and Flonnie Day Keaton, Elton was born Oct. 9, 1946 in Bainbridge, Ga. He graduated from Bainbridge High School, class of 1964 and attended Bainbridge Junior College.

Following his discharge from the US Air Force, Elton returned to Georgia, and eventually settled back down in Bainbridge, where he always called home. He was a deacon with First Christian Church and a Director with the Bainbridge Jaycees. His 36 year career with BellSouth led him to Lee Co. where he remained after his retirement. He was a member of the AT&T Pioneers Club. With his wife of 50 years, Bettye Sheffield Keaton, he enjoyed RV’ing and went to Pigeon Forge every summer and worked at Dollywood. Elton was a member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church, as well as a member of the Legacy SS Class at First Baptist Church. He was also a member of Dougherty Lodge # 591 F & AM and the Hasan Shrine Temple.

Elton is survived by his wife, Bettye, his son, Philip, (and wife Lisa), of Perry, daughter, Robyn Chestnut,(and husband Joe), of Newnan, granddaughters, Sara O’Quin,(and husband Luke), Katie Keaton, (fiancé Jason Wolfe), Haley Keaton, Ansley and Jessie Chesnut, and great grandchildren Maddox and Charleigh O’Quin, sisters Barbara Darley, Camilla Sherry Moore, (and husband Ron) of Murphy, NC, brothers Ronnie Keaton, (and wife Frances) of Sylvester, and Stanley Keaton, (and wife Laura) of Faceville. He was preceded to death by parents, brothers Gregory and Bruce Keaton, and a very special niece, Jamie Denise Day.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home, with services Thursday at 11:00 AM at Eldorendo Baptist Church in Bainbridge, GA. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites.

Visitation will also be held one hour before the service at Eldorendo Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eldorendo Baptist Church, 2766 Thomasville Road, Bainbridge, Ga 39819.

To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews’ website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com.