Celebrating the life of
Walter Daniel Rhoads, Jr.
November 14, 1918 - July 11, 2013
Walter Daniel Rhoads, Jr.
Savannah – Walter Daniel Rhoads, Jr., age 94, died at home on Thursday, July 11, 2013, with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born in 1918 in Macon, Georgia, Mr. Rhoads was the only child of the late Joletta Arthur Rhoads and the late Walter Daniel Rhoads. He enrolled at University of Georgia, pledged Sigma Chi, and graduated in 1940 with a B.A. degree in Business. In 1941, while pursuing an MBA at Columbia University in New York City, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. A Captain in the Army's 80th Division, he was an Infantry Unit Commander and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in 1945, was wounded and evacuated to 157 General Hospital near Chester, England. He was awarded the ETO medal with battle star, two Bronze Stars for the Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns, Purple Heart, Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Metal, and Combat Infantryman badges. While at 157 General Hospital, he met First Lieutenant Genevieve Olson, a native of Edgeley, North Dakota, and a Hospital Dietician.
Upon his return to the United States and discharge from the Army, Mr. Rhoads married Miss Olson on January 20, 1946 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. They moved to Macon, Georgia, where he worked for several years in a firm of certified public accountants. In 1950, he joined the firm of O'Brien and Spillane, CPAs in Savannah, which later became Spillane, Rhoads, Lebey, Cann, & Sieg, Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Rhoads was a long time member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and served for many years as either Treasurer or Chairman of its Finance Committee. He was a former member and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Savannah Symphony and the Isle of Hope Historical Association, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts Savannah, and a member of the Savannah Yacht Club and the Chatham Club.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 67 years, Genevieve Olson Rhoads, and their three daughters and sons-in-law, all of Savannah: The Rev. Patricia Rhoads Davis and Cdr. Rodney M. Davis, USN Ret., Pamela Rhoads Allen and Steven H. Allen, and Kathleen Rhoads Briola and Donald A. Briola. He also is survived by two granddaughters and their husbands: Genevieve Davis Zetlan and Scott D. Zetlan and Margaret Davis Baxton and John W. Baxton; three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 W. 31st Street, Savannah. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's, followed by burial in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rodney M. Davis, USN Ret., Steven H. Allen, Donald A. Briola, and Scott D. Zetlan.
The family suggests any remembrances be made in Mr. Rhoads's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 10 W. 31st St., Savannah, GA or to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
Mrs. Rhoads, Patti, Pam, and Kathie, It has been an honor and a blessing to have known your husband and father the past three years. Remember, accentcuate the positive, elimanate the negivate, latch unto the affirmative, and don't mess with mr. in between!!
- Tina Lewis, Savannah, GA
My heartfelt condolences to the Rhodes family. Mr. Rhodes was more than a business associate of my dad's - a true friend for many, many years.
- Ann Haslam Mason, Asheboro, NC
Pam: I did know your father many years ago when he was practicing. he was a fine and honorable gentleman. I know this is a significant loss and wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Stan
- Stanley Harris, Jr., Savannah, GA
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May you find peace in the wonderful memories of his life.
- Sandra Williams, Fair Play, SC
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. May you find strength in your strong faith and the love of your family. My condolences, Jill
- Jill Clarke, , VA
Mrs. Rhoads, Patti, Pam, and Kathie, It has been an honor and a blessing to have known your husband and father the past three years. Remember, accentcuate the positive, elimanate the negivate, latch unto the affirmative, and don't mess with mr. in between!!
- Tina Lewis, Savannah, GA
My heartfelt condolences to the Rhodes family. Mr. Rhodes was more than a business associate of my dad's - a true friend for many, many years.
- Ann Haslam Mason, Asheboro, NC
Pam: I did know your father many years ago when he was practicing. he was a fine and honorable gentleman. I know this is a significant loss and wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Stan
- Stanley Harris, Jr., Savannah, GA
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May you find peace in the wonderful memories of his life.
- Sandra Williams, Fair Play, SC
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. May you find strength in your strong faith and the love of your family. My condolences, Jill
- Jill Clarke, , VA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
