Leonard J. Waitsman Obituary

Leonard Waitsman, 83, lifelong resident of Americus, died Thursday, September 4, 2008.His funeral service will be today, 2 PM at Andersonville National Cemetery.Mr. Waitsman was educated in Americus and graduated from Americus High School. He was inducted into the US Army in March 1944, and served in the European Theatre. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Americus and began his retail career. Mr. Waitsman owned and operated Leonard's On the Corner, the Fair Store, Young World, Phoenix III Men's Store, and Granny's Attic. Very active in the life of his community, Mr. Waitsman was elected to the Americus City Council for 17 years, served on the Americus City School Board, and the Americus Housing Authority. Mr. Waitsman was honored for his service by the Americus Walk of Fame in front of the Rylander Theatre, by the Americus-Sumter County Tourism Council, and by the Downtown Development Authority. He was past president of the Americus Jaycees. He is a member of the Americus Kiwanis Club and was a George F. Hixon Fellow in April 2005. Mr. Waitsman was also a member of the Board for the Sam Shortline Authority, the Americus Chamber of Commerce, a supporter for the Americus Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society, and an early supporter of Habitat for Humanity. He was a private pilot and he loved to fly. A member of the Jewish religion, he volunteered at Magnolia Manor on Christmas Day to give an employee the day off with their family. He helped organize the Farmer's Market in Downtown Americus, and he helped get a fountain in Reese Park to honor Phil Jones, Jr.Survivors include his wife: Marie Waitsman, Americus; his children: Shirlee Wadsworth and her husband Jim, Charlotte, NC, Rick Waitsman and his wife Mindy, Atlanta; 4 granddaughters: Jessica W. Figueroa and her husband Robert, Charlotte, NC, Shelley Linens and her husband Adam, Richmond, VA, Melissa Waitsman, Clemson, SC, Lily Sara Waitsman, Greensboro, NC; 2 great granddaughters: Cameron Figueroa and Madeline Harper Figueroa, both of Charlotte, NC; nephew: Jerry Krinsky and his wife Teresa, Columbus, GA; a brother-in-law: Allan Davis and his wife Judy, St. Petersburg, FL; a sister-in-law: Arlene Rosenthal and her husband George, St. Petersburg, FL.Those desiring may send memorials to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1201, Albany, GA 31702, or to Fuller Center for Housing, P.O. Box 523, Americus, GA 31709 or www.fullercenter.org.

Leonard J. Waitsman Obituary

June 28, 1925 - September 4, 2008