William Gordon Vining

Gordon Vining (William Gordon Vining), 92, passed September 23rd, 2018. Born in 1926, Gordon grew up in and around Atlanta. Graced with a wonderful tenor voice, he met the girl he would eventually marry, Mary Bess “Becky” Tallant, while singing in a gospel quartet. They dated through high school and married in 1945. They had 3 children, Cheryl Howe Stricker, William Alan Vining, and Judy Lynn Howard (deceased). Gordon is also survived by grandchildren Julie Howe Paulsen, Bryan Vining, Katherine Howe, David Howe and Bethany Howard, and great-grandchildren Drew and Alex Paulsen and Harper and Jessica Vining. Living around the Decatur area, Gordon built houses, supervised Majik Markets, Waffle Houses and was a legal secretary for John Bedford. A devout church-goer, Gordon attended Oak Grove United Methodist Church for over 60 years, sang tenor in the choir, and led the singing, with Becky often playing piano, for the Graydon Sunday-school class. Gordon and Becky were active and involved within the church and the local community, and Gordon will certainly be sorely missed by their many friends. His Memorial Service will be on Sunday, October 21st at 2:00 pm, at Oak Grove, followed immediately by a Reception and Remembrance. All are Welcome. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Oak Grove Traditional Music Ministry are appreciated.