Mr. William Ridley Monk

William Ridley Monk, a lifetime resident of Sylvester, Georgia, died peacefully at home on September 1, 2024 at the age of 103. He was married to Leah Yarborough Monk (1921?2020) for over 72 years. He is survived by his daughter, Sue Monk Kidd and his three sons, Chesley Wade Monk, Robert Ridley (Bob) Monk, and Don Thomas Monk; their spouses, Sanford Kidd, Gayle Monk, Ann Monk, and Karon Monk, as well as eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Born in Sylvester on July 24, 1921, he was the son of Judge Chesley Wade Monk and Ruth Ridley Monk, and the brother of Charlotte Monk Jenkins.

Ridley attended the University of Georgia, where he was president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. At the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 4 years as a Lieutenant in the South Pacific aboard the Destroyer USS Eaton as a radar officer and navigator.

Upon his return from the war, he taught area farmers agricultural skills and worked eleven years for Selfco, an agricultural commodities business. In 1964, he founded Worth Insurance Agency in Sylvester. He was elected director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia and awarded the organization's prestigious Edgar Dunlop Award based on honor, integrity, and outstanding service to the community. He retired from Worth Insurance after 41 years at the age of 83.

Throughout his long career, he pursued an avocation as a farmer on the Worth County farm established by his great-grandparents in 1828. Known for his connection to the land, he was, at heart, a gardener and farmer, growing everything from peanuts to prize-winning roses.

As a dedicated and lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Sylvester, he served as chairman of the Board of Deacons on multiple occasions, director of the Adult Sunday School Department, and a Sunday School teacher.

His exemplary volunteer civic service included 17 years as a Boy Scout troop leader for which he received the Silver Beaver Distinguished Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a longtime member of the Worth County Hospital Authority, serving as its chairman and working diligently over the years to ensure a viable hospital presence in Worth Country. As a committed 68 year member of the Sylvester Kiwanis Club, he was presented the George F. Hixon National Award for his service. He was a decades-long member of the Worth Masonic Lodge. In 2008, the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his later years, he wrote and published numerous essays and articles about his experiences in World War II and undertook a county-wide project to record the stories of World War II veterans for the archives of the Library of Congress.

Ridley was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered by his family as a man of integrity, who believed life is measured by the good we do and who lived accordingly.

Private memorial service will be held. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Ridley's life go to Best Friends Humane Society in Worth County and Hospice of Tift Area.