On the roll of “our illustrious dead”no name is more worthy than that of William M.Blanton.He began life surrounded by the helpful and holy influence of a christian home, in Oglethorpe County Ga.May 13 1818.His long and useful life closed peacefully at the old home in Spalding County Ga.March 12 1906.

Not often a man unique or attractive in character,more generoursly endowed and loved,hath lived and died among us.He stood by the church liberal giving and loving service for nearly three quarters of a century.He was sincere and true as a christian and honorable and just as a citizen.He was never in disguise.He was the soul of honor.He had a contempt for everything low,mean or sordid.Being richly endowed by nature and by his own training,and possesing so many estimable traits of characture,his influence over men was great.His friends of early days were his staunch friends of his declining years.The period of his last suffering was wreathed in his admiration and love.He was warm hearted and genial and social in his nature and enjoyed the companionship of friends,and made it both pleasant and agreeable for them to be with him.He treated everyone,both high and low,in fashion becoming a christian gentleman.He was in every respect a most lovable and remarkable man,and all who came in close acquaintance or contact with him became his friend and admirer.He was happily married to Miss Julia Thompson Nov.10 1840.

His wife, a most excellent and devoted woman of sterling christian characture,who several years age went to her rest and reward above.

Bro.Blanton professed religion in early life,and became at once an active member of the M.E.Church South.His conversion was through his experiance of real and glorious change unquestionable.His faith in Jesus never faltered because he was perfectly conscious that he had saved him from his sins and had constantly become his companion.The great reason of his constant communion with his lord is found in the fact that he habitually used the means of God’s appointment to that and he loved the church and attended all of her services.He was a man of faith and prayer.He believed God’s word and was a mighty man in the scripture.He could quote whole chapters without effort.His large and liberal gifts added much to the material prosperity of the church.He gave $500.00 one time for missions.No man more truly won through faithful labor and obedience and devotion his place of greatness in the church of God.

His efficent services on the official boards of his church,MT.Zion through many long years,will not be forgotten,not while this generation of people and their children live.Many of them will come up in that great day to bless him for his prayers and his beautiful blameless life.

He was one of the largest and succesfull farmers in Spalding Co.By appointment he administered on some very large estates,and his public record covers a period when great ability and absolute integrity were required to meet grave and important exigencies.It is a proud satisfaction to know that all of the business transactions with which he was connected,were wholly honorable to himself and conspicuosly sevicable to these whom he served.He never would receive any compensation for these services.

He was one of the original trustees of the Mt.Zion camp ground.This camp,in some respects is one of the greatest of its kind in the state.They have there available resorces by which they hope to perpetuate this good work for years to come.His wise management made this great work possible.Our church never had a more loyal and consecrated member or one who was more thoroughly in love and synpathy with every department of church work than Mr.Blanton.His splendid life work will shine forth in increasing brightness as time goes on.

The writer was with him the last Sabbeth in January,and saw him again for awhile that evening.He talked freely of his approaching death.He believed it was near at hand and would soon come.He ws confident and ever joyous.There were no clouds of doubt to dim the sunset hours of his pure saintly life,and like a tired pilgrim he simply “fell on asleep”,and with the spirits of just men made perfect “he was entered in the fullness of his reward”.

If words of comfort were needed by his children in these long hours of affliction they would be offered by thousands of friendly tongues,but this comfort is not needed.The heritage of a loving fathers life is wealth enough for his offspring.By the memory of his wise words they will direct their ways.We therefore commit this stricken household to “the God of all grace and comfort who guided their father and to the memories of his noble saintly life”.Blessed are the dead who die in the lord from henceforth,yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labors.

G.W.Farr