William Hughes Savell

William Hughes Savell died Sept 9 at the age of 80. A native Atlantan, he was the son of the late Leon Morton and Lillian Lupo Savell. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Edward L. (Bettie Hoyt) Savell, and Dr. Joel M. (Elsie Crane) Savell. Born 8 March, 1935, he attended Clark Howell School and graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1953 where he lettered in football, track, and cross country. He was also president of his senior class. He attended Georgia Tech and, in 1957, graduated with a BS degree in Industrial Management. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He began his career with Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. in Pittsburgh where he worked in steel mills and product sections. After being transferred to Cleveland, OH with J&L, he became involved with Republican Party activities, working mostly in organizational capacities. In 1963 he returned to Atlanta and, at the invitation of Fulton County GOP chairman Randolph Thrower, opened up and staffed the first full-time paid political office in Georgia history. At the same time, he helped reorganize the Young Republican Club of Fulton County where it became the largest volunteer political organization in the state. In 1966 he helped manage the campaign of Fletcher Thompson, the first Republican since Reconstruction to win the 5th District seat. He eventually returned to the steel business, retiring in 1983 after service with the supply division of U.S. Steel. In semi-retirement, and until his death, he was associated with Schofield Interior Contractors. A lifelong Methodist, Mr. Savell was a member of Peachtree Rd. United Methodist Church where he served as a leader in his Sunday School class, a church bus driver, usher, Great Day of Service volunteer, and served several terms on the Administrative Board. In addition, he served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer at First Presbyterian Church. He is survived by nieces Mary Lillian Savell Clarke (J. Caleb III) of Atlanta; Julie Marie Savell-McCandless of Front Royal, VA, and Polly Savell of New York City, great nephew J. Caleb Clarke IV (Allison) of Atlanta, great nieces Elizabeth Clarke Abney (Eric) and Mary Wills Clarke Herman (Dick) of Atlanta, 2 great grand-nieces and 5 great-grand nephews, all of Atlanta. Services will be held on September 18 at Westview Cemetery at 10 A.M., and a memorial service at Peachtree Rd. United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Rd., NE., at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Great Day of Service, c/o Peachtree Rd. United Methodist Church, or to Meals on Wheels, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30309.