South Georgia Tech mourns loss of three individuals who impacted students

South Georgia Tech has been “celebrating possibilities” since 1948, when it officially began providing instructional training to students interested in entering the workforce. This past month, the college lost three individuals who had an impact on the success of the college as well as its graduates, alumni, retirees, students, faculty, staff, and this community.
William T. “Bill” Moncrief of Americus and Bobby M. Wooldridge of Buena Vista passed away within a day of each other. Bill Moncrief taught electrical technology at South Georgia Tech from April 1956 until July 1988. He passed away January 9th, 2018.
Bobby Wooldridge came aboard as an aviation maintenance instructor at South Georgia Tech in March 1988 right before Bill Moncrief retired. He worked full-time until December 31, 2006 but rejoined the college as a part-time instructor from July 2007 until June 2013. He passed away on January 10th, 2018.
Those two retired instructors had over 50 years of combined full-time service to their students and 56 years if you include Bobby Wooldridge’s part-time service. Then less than three weeks after the passing of those two individuals, South Georgia Tech lost a distinguished Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic graduate, who may not have been on the payroll as an instructor, but still taught or influenced a number of South Georgia Tech students and other graduates through his association with Souther Field Aviation, Inc., and as head of the Sumter County Airport.
Franklin “Frankie” Williams graduated from the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics program at South Georgia Technical and Vocational School in December of 1975. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran, who enlisted on his 18th birthday and served his country until October 1971 as a U.S. Army Door Gunner Crew Chief of the 1st of the 9th Calvary. He opened his own business, Souther Field Aviation, in 1984.
All three individuals were involved in the original programs that were offered when the school was commissioned in 1948. The programs they influenced are known today as Electronics and Industrial Electrical Technology and Aviation Maintenance Technology. The other five programs offered over 70 years ago that are still in demand by students include Air Conditioning, Diesel Technology, Automotive Maintenance Technology, and Aircraft Structural Technology. The only original program not offered today is Upholstery.
“These three individuals were very important to the success of South Georgia Technical College,” said President Dr. John Watford. “We wanted to acknowledge their contribution to the college but also to encourage their students and former graduates to reach out and share the impact that they and other individuals here had on their lives.
“As a college administrator and a former instructor, I know the type of impact that a teacher has on the lives of the individuals they teach,” explained Dr. Watford. “I also know that students influence us as well. During the college’s 70th anniversary celebration, I encourage former students and graduates to reach back and share how the knowledge and encouragement of a favorite instructor impacted their lives and careers. We have a very proud past and a promising future. Students and their successes are our focus.”
South Georgia Technical College’s mission is “workforce development.” That was the original intent when the doors first opened in 1948. It is still the focus for the college and its faculty and staff today. Over the past 70 years, more than 500,000 people have benefited from the training, continuing education, GED and adult education classes as well as the traditional academic programs.
South Georgia Tech graduates are currently working in our local communities and all over the world as respected members of society. The possibilities that students enjoyed in 1948 and beyond are still available today. South Georgia Tech is celebrating its proud past but also envisioning a promising future.
During the college’s 70th anniversary year, if you attended South Georgia Tech and benefited from the education you received, please take the opportunity to reach out and share your stories so that others may recognize the “possibilities” available with a South Georgia Tech education.
If you would like to share your South Georgia Tech experience, contact Su Ann Bird, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at sbird@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2248. Plan to revisit the campus and take a tour of the facilities in Americus or Crisp County.

Frankie Williams is shown above working in the aviation department in 1975 when he was chosen as a superlative for that program area.

Bill Moncrief is shown above in his program area in 1972.