William Earl Hudson, Sr., passed away April 13, 2025, at his home in Ellijay, Ga., after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kayla King Hudson, three children, Glenn English Hudson (Dr. Jennifer Garraty Hudson) Salisbury, N.C., Loren Hudson Kimberly, Kennesaw, Ga., William Earl Hudson Jr. (Malina Tanner Hudson) Chapmansboro, Tenn. He has 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

William, (Bill), 81, was born in Weldon, N.C., to the parents of Leroy and Eula Wallace Hudson. He had three siblings, Donald Hudson (deceased), Maurice Hudson Shearin, (deceased), and Tommy Hudson, (Deceased). He was a graduate of Weldon High School and represented his team in the Shrine Bowl for outstanding seniors. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar while playing football for the Tarheels. He had a 37-year career with Delta Airlines which took him from an entry-level position on the ramp loading baggage to eventually becoming System Manager of Domestic Flight Operations and System Manager of Delta Express. After retirement, he sold real estate in South Atlanta for many years.

A devout Christian, he passed away at his home in Ellijay, Ga., and will be interned at Westminter Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City, Ga. A Memorial Service will be held on April 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Covenant Community Church, Ellijay, Ga.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.