Jacksonville, FL - Wiley Monroe DeWitt, Sr., 88, died Tuesday, Dec. 18 after an extended illness.

The Pensacola, FL native was a former resident of Wayne Co. and Crescent and had lived in Jacksonville for 8 years. He was the owner and operator of numerous groceries, seafood, and produce service and was very active in the development of the Georgia Shellfish Industry as a major producer and founding member of the Georgia Watermans Association. He was a long term charter member of the Georgia Coastal Fisheries Advisory Commission, a County Director of the Georgia Farm Bureau, and on the Aquaculture Committee as Chairman. He was a U. S. Army Veteran and Emeretus member of the Jesup Masonic Lodge #112, F.&A. M. and was a Baptist.

Survivors: wife, Willow (Peggy) DeWitt of Jacksonville, FL; daughters, Nina Shanklin of Jesup, Jacqueline Poppell of Crescent, Wylene Manley of St. Albans, MS; sons, W. Monroe DeWitt, Jr. of Savannah, T. Rodger DeWitt of Darien, Ralph DeWitt of Jacksonville, FL, Gerald DeWitt of Jesup, Robert DeWitt of Crescent; brothers, William DeWitt of Jacksonville, FL, Stephew McNiel of Richmond, VA; sister, Edna Faye Lanahan of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; step-daughters, Debbra Baze Hahn of Mansfield, OH, Bridgette Baze Drury of Jacksonville, FL; step-sons, Carl Russell Baze of Jacksonville, FL, Randy Wilbourn of Fernandina Beach, FL; foster son, Larry Stanley of Americus; 22 grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation:10:00-11:00 a. m. Friday

Funeral: 11:00a. m. Friday., Dec. 21, Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home chapel, with Rev. Robert Drury. Burial: Gardi Cemetery, Active pallbearers will be grandsons.

Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home of Jesup

Savannah Morning News December 19, 2001