George Carl Waddell, Sr.

George Carl Waddell

Aiken, SC—George Carl Waddell, age 96, passed away at his home in Aiken August 17, 2021. Born October 2, 1924, in Woodruff, SC, George was the son of the late Daniel W and Mae Lanford Waddell. He grew up on the family farm and was the first member of his family to earn a high school diploma, graduating Woodruff High School June 1942. Like many other young men of the “Greatest Generation”, George joined the armed services to fight the Axis forces during World War II. He served from 1942 to 1945 as a member of the Army Air Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant. During this time, he served as a tail gunner in B-24 Liberators assigned to the 15th Air Force, 463rd Bomb Group. George flew 18 combat missions over Eastern Europe and Italy before being rotated back to the United States where he was honorably discharged after the end of the war. Following his discharge, George returned to the family farm in Woodruff where he followed in the footsteps of his brothers and was raised to a Master Mason in the Crescent Lodge 245 on April 5, 1946. He transferred to the Aiken Lodge 156 January 19, 1957 where he would remain a member in good standing until his passing. He was awarded his 70th anniversary pin in 2016. ON May 3, 1950, George married Mary Iris Wilburn of Cross Keys, SC, and together they would have three sons, Phillip (Lisa), Carl (Angie), and David (Alta). In hopes of securing a better future for his new family, George left Woodruff and came to Aiken, SC to work at Savannah River Project as an employee of E.I. DuPont. He would remain at SRP until his retirement in December 182. After retirement, George joined with several other retired SRP craftsmen from Millbrook Baptist Church to form a group that referred to themselves as the “Whittlers.” This group of men would meet in the mornings over coffee and decide which service projects to take on that would help widows and other members of the community complete repairs to their homes or vehicles. After successfully recovering from open heart surgery in the late 1990’s, George realized that there was a need for a support group to help other open heart surgery patients cope with the many physical and mental challenges of these surgeries. With the help of staff and physicians at Aiken Regional Hospital, he and a group of volunteers were able to start a local Mended Hearts chapter at the hospital. In addition to being a founding member of the chapter, George would also serve as chapter president and would remain an active volunteer visitor for many years. Surviving are two sons, Phil (Lisa), Carl (Angie); granddaughter, Andi; nephews, Wayne (JoAnn), Doug (Sybil), and Denis (Phoebe); nieces Kathy Parker (Roy), Sandra Shuman (Tom), Jane Coker (Anthony), and Missy Atkinson (Steve). He is preceded in death by his wife Mary “Polly” Waddell and youngest son David. Arrangements are being handled by COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PKWY (118 BYPASS) AIKEN, SC 29801 803-648-7175. There will be a graveside service with Military Honors and Masonic Rites at Green Pond Baptist Church in Woodruff, SC 11:30 am on Saturday August 21, 2021. The service will be live streamed on the Cole Funeral Home Facebook Page. Honorary Pallbearers are Mended Hearts Chapter 294 and the Whittlers Group of Millbrook Baptist Church. Donations may be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 294 in lieu of flowers. Please sign the online registry at www.colefuneralhomeinc.net.