Paul Wain Painter, Jr.

Click Here to Download a free funeral planning guide.

Celebrating the life of
Paul Wain Painter, Jr.August 10, 1945 - May 27, 2017

Savannah attorney Paul W. Painter, Jr. died on Saturday, May 27, 2017. He was born in Cleveland, Tennessee on August 10, 1945, while his father was on active duty in World War II. He grew up and attended public schools in Rossville, Walker County, Georgia, graduating from Rossville High School in 1963. He was the quarterback and co-captain of the school’s undefeated state championship football team, named to the Associated Press All-State football team, selected to play in the Georgia High School All-Star game at Grant Field, and given a scholarship by Coach Bobby Dodd to play football at Georgia Tech. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech, where he was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After graduating from college, he attended the Navy’s Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his commission. He was an active duty officer from 1968 to 1971, during much of which he was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence, where he was an underway officer of the deck. On Valentine’s Day of 1971, he had his first date with Judith Ann (Judi) Babine of Norfolk, Virginia, who became the love of his life. The couple was married on August 28, 1971.

Two weeks after their wedding, the couple moved to Athens, Georgia, where he entered law school at the University of Georgia. He graduated from the law school with honors in 1974 after serving as Senior Editor of the Georgia Law Review. After graduation, the couple moved to Savannah, where he began the practice of civil trial law he would pursue for more than forty years. In 1988, he was a founding partner of the law firm known today as Ellis, Painter, Ratterree & Adams LLP, from which he retired in 2015 for health reasons.

He was selected to be a “Georgia Super Lawyer” through a statewide, peer-reviewed process conducted by Law and Politics and Atlanta Magazine. Through that process, he was recognized as one of Georgia’s “Top 100” lawyers from the initial review process in 2004 until his last year of active practice in 2014 when he was also recognized as one of Georgia’s “Top 10” lawyers. He was also recognized in the peer-reviewed publication “Best Lawyers in America” beginning in 1994, where he was listed in four litigation categories: bet-the-company litigation, business litigation, product liability litigation and personal injury litigation.

He was past president of Georgia Law School’s alumni association and a member of the school’s Board of Visitors, past president of the Savannah Bar Association, and past president of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. He was a Fellow and Georgia state chair of the America College of Trial Lawyers, a past member and chair of the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners, and a member of various committees to which he was appointed by Georgia’s state and federal courts.

He was awarded the State Bar of Georgia’s Tradition of Excellence Award, the State Bar’s Chief Justice Thomas O. Marshall Professionalism Award, the University of Georgia Law School Association’s Distinguished Service Scroll, which is the law school’s highest alumni award, the Savannah Bar Association’s Professionalism Award (renamed the Frank S. Cheatham Professionalism Award after Judge Cheatham’s death), and the Paul W. Painter, Jr. Civility and Professionalism Award established by the Southeast Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

He was a founding member of the board of directors of Georgia Appleseed, Inc., a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest law center whose mission is to increase justice in Georgia through law and policy reform and community engagement, a past director of Royce Learning Center, a school for children with learning disabilities, and a past president of the Savannah Arthritis Foundation. He was a member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and its Alpha Sunday School class. He was also a member of The Savannah Golf Club, the Forest City Gun Club, and the Gridiron Society at the University of Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Paul W. Painter and Juanita Davis Painter of Rossville, and a younger sister, Claudia Ann Painter who died in 1955. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Judi Painter, his son Paul W. Painter III and wife Stephanie Boaen Painter of Savannah, his sister and brother-in-law, Paulette Painter Grant and Calvin B. Grant of Chattanooga, Tennessee, his granddaughter Anna Clair Painter, two nephews and their wives, Philip Painter Grant (Sandy) of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Bradley Burton Grant (Farrah) of Chattanooga, a grand niece, Sarah Grant of Chattanooga, and his sister-in-law and her husband, Patricia Babine Collier and Jerry J. Collier of Norfolk, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, 429 Abercorn Street in Savanah, with his friend and pastor Dr. Ben Martin officiating. A reception will follow the service. A private burial at Greenwich Cemetery will be held.

The family invites all attorneys and judges, along with their spouses, who are in attendance at the memorial service to serve as honorary pallbearers.

Charitable donations may be made to Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, 429 Abercorn Street, Savanah, Georgia 31401, or to the American Cancer Society.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

Submissions protected by Kanshi.

GUEST BOOK

Dear Judi, I am very sorry to learn of your husband’s passing. Paul was a beloved member of the Savanah community, where he touched countless lives. His legacy of patriotism, service, and philanthropy endures in the many worthy organizations he championed. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

- Paula Wallace, Savannah, GA

Paul and I were classmates, teammates and friends. He was two years behind but we grew up together even playing little league. I knew and respected his family. I had the Honor of inducting Paul in to the Rossville High School Sports Hall of Fame. Paul was a special young man and of course and a special man. My thought and prayers in your lose. Bob Davis

- Bob Davis, Chattanooga , Tn

May Jehovah, the God of all comfort, give your family the strength needed to cope with the loss of your loved one. Revelation 21:3,4

- B. Kelly, Pooler, Ga

Dear Judi, Bill and I were shocked this week when we saw Paul's obituary in the SMN. We had no idea of his illness and were so very saddened to hear about his passing. We have such fond memories of spending time with the two of you in our earlier years at GA Defense Lawyers' meetings and later at ACTL events. And, of course, Bill always had the highest respect for Paul as an attorney. Pauls's memorial service today was meaningful on so many levels, and it was a wonderful tribute to his many admirable attributes in addition to you and your entire family. Please know you and your family are in our minds, hearts, and prayers during this difficult and sad time in your lives. Maxine and Bill Pinson

- Maxine & Bill Pinson, Savannah, Ga

Our deepest condolences to the Paul W. Painter family on your loss. What a special life well lived. Great athlete, naval officer, legal career, family man and friend to so many. I grew up in Chattanooga near Paul, played football with him at Georgia Tech, joined SAE fraternity with him and was his roommate. I so enjoyed our last and most recent conversation. God bless you my friend. You will be missed and remembered. Zarina and Flip Lyle

- James Arthur "Flip" Lyle, El Paso, TX

My condolences to Judi and the entire family of a fine lawyer who will be missed. Paul was a well respected member of the Savannah Community and the bar in general. The family can be so very proud of him. jim

- James McCallar, Savannah, Ga

My condolences to family of a high school team mate and tremendous athlete and person. "PW" was a "go to" player that came through when going got tough. "PW" always had a smile and kind word for all, even the opponents.

- Butch Flerl, Helena, Al

Dear Judi, I just learned of our loss of Paul (PW). I did not know of his illness. I will keep you in my prayers and best wishes. My deep condoleces. Love, Jimmy Geyer.

- Jimmy Geyer, Auburn, Ga

Paul, you were my best friend in the Navy,and our adventures in France and Italy are lasting memories. You will never be forgotten. Judi and Paul must cherish the days/years they had with you, and they have my condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with them.--Creed

- Creed W. Brierre, Sr., New Orleans, LA

Paul was not only a good attorney he was a good Christian man that we all will miss.

- Charles W. Bell, Savannah, GA

Very sorry to hear this.

- Greg Painter, Louisa, Ky.

Judi, Peggy and I were deeply saddened to learn of Paul's death. I will always cherish our being inducted into the Amarican College of Trial Lawyers together in London and getting to know you. As many have said , Paul was a lawyer's lawyer with impeccable morals and integrity. He contributed greatly to his profession and to his community and will be sorely missed. Please know you and your whole family will be in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days and weeks.

- John Edwards, Macon, Ga

Paul, a true southern gentleman and I feel fortunate to have known him

- Dr Cliff Berger, Nicholasville, KY

Judi my prayers go out to you and all the family. If there is anything I can do please give me a call! I will miss hearing about his bird hunts and seeing him each month!

- James Barratta, Pooler, GA

Sorry for your loss Judi and Paul 3 The McGowan cousins send love to you during this difficult time. Glad that Pat and Jerry are there to comfort you. I remember him laughing and enjoying everyone's shenanigans around the campfire when we camped in the 70's in Virginia. Such a wonderful man!

- Jane Barrett Murphy, Plymouth, MA

My sincerest sympathy to the family of my dear friend and classmate. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a very special person.

- Paul A. Weaver, Ringgold, GA

Paul was a rare combination of talent, intellect, common sense, accomplishment and humility. Danny Flegal - Class of 1963

- Danny Flegal, Ringgold, GA

I am so sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful person. He will be missed by so many family and friends. Paul was our Class President and a very nice classmate. I am so happy I got to see Paul and Judy at our Rossville 5oth Reunion . May God be with Judy and his family.

- June Hulgan Rader-Cooper , Ooltewah , Tn

So sorry to hear of Mr. Paul's passing. Prayers for all of you.

- Kathy Smith, Savannah, Ga

I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

- lisa evans, savannah, ga

Judy and family - we send our love and condolences to you all. I will never forget my chats with Paul about his days running g with my late family friend, Boone Knox. He will be missed by many.

- Todd and Kim Dulek, Shellman Bluff, Ga