UPDATE: Arrangements announced for former Macon-Bibb EMA Director Johnny Wingers
Johnny Wingers, the former long-serving Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director for Macon-Bibb County, died Monday at the age of 84, according to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.
UPDATE (12/5): A graveside service honoring Johnny Wingers’ life and service will be held with full military honors on Friday, December 8 at 1 p.m. at Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, with Dr. Rick Lanford officiating.
Wingers died Monday at the age of 84.
The community will have the opportunity to pay their respects during a visitation on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park Chapel.
Prior to serving as the director of the Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency, Wingers served in the U.S. Army, where he retired as a Colonel. He also served in the National Guard.
Later in life, he worked with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Macon Memorial Park Cemetery are located at 3969 Mercer University Drive in Macon.
ORIGINAL STORY (12/4):
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Johnny Wingers, the former long-serving Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director for Macon-Bibb County, died Monday at the age of 84, according to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.
Wingers, who led the EMA for 16 years before retiring in 2009, died at home of natural causes, Jones said.
In a 2009 report by 41NBC after Wingers’ retirement, various individuals described him with admiration and respect, saying his commitment went beyond regular work hours.
“This is not a 40-hour work week,” Wingers said. “Believe me, it’s not. You’re on call 24/7, and it goes with the territory, and I didn’t mind doing it.”
Wingers’ career was highlighted by his response to the 1994 flood, during which he and Macon City Police Chief Mike Burns worked tirelessly together.
“I believe me and Johnny worked the most hours out of anybody during that time,” Burns said. “And he’d always come in one day to the next and say, ‘I still haven’t been able to take a bath, and I’ll try to find the time today. Water needs to go to somebody else.'”
Reflecting on his career, Wingers said helping people made it all worthwhile.
“The gratification is there when it’s all over and you’ve helped someone, and you see people that come up there and didn’t have anything to eat, and you get meals there to them, and that makes you feel good,” he said.
Macon Memorial Park will handle the arrangements, Jones said.
