William Austin
'W. A.' Avery

Mr. W.A. Avery was born in Laurens County in 1917. He graduated from the University of Georgia in Agricultural Education. He began teaching agriculture at Effingham Academy in 1938, but was called to active military duty while serving in the National Guard. He attained the rank of Captain in the US Army.

Mr. Avery taught Agriculture for thirty-nine years, including nine years as a teacher in the Veteran's Farm Training Program. After his retirement in 1976, Mr. Avery worked as a soil consultant.

Mr. Avery's FFA teams won the District Soil Judging Contest 16 times in 17 years and won the state event 5 times. His teams were always among the top five in forestry competitions. He maintained 72 species of trees in his yard for study by FFA and 4-H members.

Mr. Avery received the Teacher of Teachers Award (1969), an Award for Distinguished Service in Agriculture, and the Georgia Honorary State FFA Degree. Mr. Avery was Star Teacher in 1976 and was named the Man of the Year in Soil and Water Conservation for Emanuel County. His greatest honor was presented to him in appreciation for dedicated service to the Swainsboro High Vocational Agriculture Program and FFA. The plaque was presented to him eleven years after his retirement by 60 of his former students who had gathered to pay tribute to this special man.

Mr. Avery served as President of the Kiwanis Club, the Emanuel County Association of Educators, and the Emanuel Retired Teachers. He was Chairman of the District and State Retired Teachers of Vocational Agriculture groups. Mr. Avery was an active member of the Methodist Church where he taught an Adult Sunday school class for forty-five years. He died in 1997.