William Burrell Sumner

William Burrell Sumner, of Chula, Georgia, passed away at his residence on Tuesday October 27, 2026 with his family by his side. He was born on September 10, 1952, in Tift County, Georgia.

Mr. Sumner was a 1971 graduate of Tift County High School. He was also a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Ulm, Germany during the Vietnam era. In his professional life, he gave thirty-plus years of service to the Georgia State Patrol. During that distinguished career, he also served as a sniper on a GSP SWAT team, and he retired in 2000 as a Master Trooper.

He was known as a kind and considerate man as well as a devoted husband, Christian, father, and papa. His faith was an important part of his life, and he was a devoted member of Waterloo Baptist Church. Outside of work, he found joy in simple and meaningful pleasures. He loved hunting and fishing, and he especially loved riding his grandchildren on the ATV, creating memories that will remain treasured by those who knew and loved him. His favorite past-time was working in his pine straw which kept him busy because that was what he wanted. He loved riding the tractor and baling the straw.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Debra Shiflett Sumner; his daughter, Dr. Heather Sumner Jarrell, and her husband, Dr. Shelby Jarrell; his son, Brian Sumner and his wife Jennifer; and his sister, Dianne Carr. His grandchildren are Levi Sumner, Landen Sumner, Elizabeth Sumner, Hunter Sumner, Daniel Sumner, Connor Reckley, Shelby Jarrell and Madeleine Jarrell.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Edwin Sumner; his mother, Rubye Clayton Sumner; his sisters, June Pitts, Jackie Shearer, Jeanette Shaw, and Joy Schmitt; and his brother, James Edwin Sumner, Jr. “Bud.”

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Waterloo Baptist Church, 124 Waterloo Church Lane, Chula, Georgia. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Dr. Jeff Pangle officiating. Interment will be in the Waterloo Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Ronnie Shiflett closing in prayer.

Pallbearers will be Ken Wolfe, Randy Bryan, Josh Irvin, Shelby Jarrell, IV, Levi Sumner and Landen Sumner. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie McCurdy, Charles Joyner along with other active and non-active deacons of Waterloo Baptist Church.

William Burrell Sumner’s life was marked by faithful service to his country, his state, his church, and his family. He leaves behind a legacy of devotion, strength, and kindness that will be long remembered.

Flowers accepted or donations can be made to Hospice of Tift Area at PO Box 747, Tifton, Georgia, 31793.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.