Burton Maximus Wamble, a resident of Cumming and Cairo Ga., passed away June 16, 2010 at the age of 81. His daughters were at his side when his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease came to an end.
 
Wamble was a distinguished Georgia legislator, a savvy businessman, a horseman, and a devoted family man. Born July 8, 1928 in Taft, Fla., Wamble grew up in Cairo, Ga., and was a 1946 graduate of Cairo High School. At 17, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served two stints, attaining the rank of SKG1. He served on  the USS Mellette APA-156 and USS Sicily CVE-118. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he and his young family returned to Cairo where he began his business career in accounting and bookkeeping. He later became an owner/operator of a three-county distributorship with the Sinclair Refining Company.
 
In 1966, having dabbled in local politics, Wamble was encouraged to run for a vacant seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was elected to four consecutive terms, serving the people of Grady County through 1974. Well respected by his peers, Wamble was appointed chairman of the powerful Ways & Means Committee, and also served on Appropriations, Education, and Motor Vehicles Committees. He was an expert on tax issues and was instrumental in creating legislation to allow MARTA and the Atlanta Transit System (predecessor to MARTA), to fund their operations. He also served on the MARTA overview committee (MARTOC).
 
When Wamble decided not to seek a fifth term in the House, he was appointed Director of Administration of the State Board of Worker’s Compensation until his retirement from state service in 1990. It was during those years that he pursued his lifelong dream of completing his college education that was interrupted due to his service in the Korean Conflict. After attending night school at Clayton State & Kennesaw State he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from Kennesaw State in l982.
 
Wamble’s only hobby throughout his life was a passion for horses which he passed on to his girls and countless others. He loved all breeds, but bred and raised Tennessee Walking Horses. He was a licensed judge for many years as well as a long-time member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association.
 
His wife of 57 years, Peggy Shiver Wamble; his parents, Nellie Mae and R. G. Wamble of Cairo; sister Merle Wamble Thorsby, Cairo; brothers Hugh and Weldon Womble of Kansas City, Mo. and Bainbridge Ga., preceded him in death.
 
He is survived by daughters Dotty Wamble Roach, Cumming, Ga., and Patricia J. Wamble, Lewisburg, Tenn.; grandson Eric Walter Roach and wife Paula Lunsford Roach, and three great-grandchildren, Avery Madison, Hudson Marshall, and Durham Miles Roach of Cumming; and sister Edith Wamble Collins of Stone Mountain, Ga.
 
Known for his quick wit and personable nature, Wamble was an honest man with unquestioned integrity, which made him a true representative of the people.
 
The family will receive visitors on Friday, June 18 from 4 to 7 p.m., at McDonald & Son Funeral Home in Cumming, Ga., and on Sunday, June 20 from 4-7 p.m., at Clark Funeral Home in Cairo, Ga. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church, Cairo, on Monday, June 21 at 10 a.m. with private interment at Pine Level Cemetery.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Pine Level Cemetery Fund, 298 Pine Level Road, Cairo GA 39827, or Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.