William L. Megathlin

Retired educator, college administrator and nationally respected penologist William L. Megathlin died peacefully in Athens, Ga., on Sept.7, 2026, after a long illness. He was 83.

Megathlin was born in Miami, Fla., and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of Georgia.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Megathlin, of Athens, Ga. and Fairhope, Al., and his son William Megathlin, Jr., of Athens, Ga. A sister, Molly Baumburger (Chuck) of Miami, Fla., a brother John Megathlin (Lucha) formerly of Tallahassee, Fla., a sister-in-law Linda O’Neal (widow of John O’ Neal, Macon, Ga.) and a brother-in-law Grady “Pete” Rockett (Pamela) of Woodstock, Ga. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, Everett Louis Megathlin of Sabine Pass, Texas, and Mary Jane Latimer Megathlin of Canton, Ga., as well as a sister, Karen Lopez of Austin, Texas.

The highlight of Megathlin’s extensive academic career was his doctoral dissertation that focused on training correctional officers at the long-troubled Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. His study focused on basic communication skills to better influence inmate behavior. His effort, funded by a grant from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, demonstrated such a positive effect on officers and inmates alike that the training method was adopted throughout the Federal Prison System. Megathlin was also closely involved in efforts to improve and replace the antiquated Chatham County Jail on Habersham Street in Savannah, Ga. He also did extensive consulting with the city and county governments on law enforcement matters.

Megathlin launched his academic career at Mississippi State University as an assistant professor of counselor education. During his tenure at MSU, he also worked as a consultant with state and federal criminal justice agencies.

Although he enjoyed preparing college students to become effective counselors, his heart was in corrections and law enforcement. When he was offered a position in the highly regarded Department of Contemporary Corrections at Sam Houston State University, he and his wife, Carol, were off to Huntsville, Texas.

In 1971, Megathlin’s brother, John, suffered a serious head injury in an automobile accident outside Metter, Ga. So severe were his injuries that he was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. Bill Megathlin and his wife drove through the night to Savannah after hearing of the accident. They spent time visiting John in the hospital where a young neurosurgeon, Dr. Cliff Cannon, saved John’s life. The Megathlins spent time exploring Savannah and were intrigued by what they learned.

While in the city, Megathlin visited Armstrong State College, originally founded by city officials as a junior college, as large numbers of students hungered for more opportunities. He discovered that a new criminal justice program was in the process of being established at the growing college. He soon was hired as one of two professors at the fledgling program. A few years later, he was tapped as the department’s chairman.

When Robert A. Burnett became Armstrong’s president, he combined the college’s departments of criminal justice and political science into the Department of Government under Megathlin. Later, he was named as dean to spearhead the college’s reorganization of academic and enrollment services. Top administrators gave Megathlin credit for soaring enrollment in the 1980s.

Future college President Thomas Z. Jones chose Megathlin to oversee reorganization to foster ongoing growth. Megathlin worked with state lawmakers and the Georgia Board of Regents and made the case for buildings such as University Hall, the Science Center, the future academic building, and the planned renovation of the Lane Library. He was credited as an influential link between officials in Savannah and in Atlanta.

State lawmakers cited Megathlin for his leadership, integrity and credibility.

Megathlin also was involved in efforts to preserve and protect state-owned Ossabaw Island. As a U.S. Fish and Wildlife volunteer, he often led boat trips to Georgia’s offshore islands.

For 40 years he taught Scripture to an adult Sunday School class at Isle of Hope Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be held by the Good Shepherd Church of Savannah in the Isle of Hope Baptist Church sanctuary, 22 Rose Avenue, on Friday, September 18, at 11 am. A reception to greet the family will begin at 10 am at the church. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to Wycliffe Bible Translators at 11221 John Wycliffe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32832

A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens is entrusted with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.