W. M. Word's Obituary
W. M. Word
Native son of Wildwood, Fl passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026. He was, as a young man, working as a cattle rancher on the family farm with his father, Tom A. Word.
W. M. attended Wildwood High School and graduated in 1953. He Attended Martha Berry College in Rome, GA where he met his wife, Sylvia Selby.
W.M. worked as a machinist apprentice for the Seaboard Airline Railroad until 1962. While on lay-off, he moved to Bartow, FL where he became a Streetman-Keebler salesman for eleven years. Coming back to Wildwood to Seaboard Coastline Railroad as a shop foreman, was a difficult move. After a short period in Wildwood, he was promoted and sent to the Atlanta Division where he remained as a supervisor of Atlanta Mechanical Department until his retirement on December 31, 1999.
The hills of Georgia called, and the family found the home in Blue Ridge, GA. Later, needing to be closer to elder parents, they spent a portion of each year in Steinhatchee, FL . In 2024, they moved back to Wildwood.
Thorough his whole life, W.M. was an avid hunter, fisherman and general outdoorsman. He enjoyed traveling and hunting out west. His last hunting trip, at 90 years old, was to New Mexico in February 2026 where he shot a buffalo.
He is the elder son of Thomas Alfred Word, Jr. and Mattie Delphina Beaumont Word (Sugie). Surviving brother is Tommy Lewis Word.
W.M. is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sylvia Selby Word, son William David Word, Daughter, Susan Denise Word (M’Liss R. Moore), Granddaughter, Whitney Leigh Miller (Mike Miller), grandson Matthew David Word (Katie Word), Great Granddaughter, Reagan Miller, Great Great sons, Wyatt William Word and Wade Mitchell Word.
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