Joe Douglas Caruthers Jr., 78, of Athens, died Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at his residence. Born Oct. 16, 1932, he was a native of Coleman, Fla., served in the U.S. Air Force and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of Wesleyanna United Methodist Church. A son of the late Joe Douglas Sr. and Irene Zipperer Caruthers, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Carless Wall. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Clara Wall Caruthers of Athens; three sons, Joe Douglas Caruthers III and William Clifford Caruthers, both of Pensacola, Fla., and Anthony Kevin Caruthers of Athens; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Jody, Cliff Jr., Lacy, Tyler, Whitney and Bailey; a grandson by love, Zeke Anderson; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Edward Caruthers of Coleman, Fla.; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Susan and Sam Pratt of Longwood, Fla.; one sister-in-law and her husband, Alta and John Gambill of Athens; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Sam and Jo Wall of Nashville, Lonas and Peggy Wall of Athens, and Darlene Wall of Englewood; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Saturday in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. John Roberson, the Rev. John Crabtree and the Rev. Joe Crockett officiating. Burial will follow in Wesleyanna United Methodist Cemetery with nephews serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements.