Augusta, GA – Wilmer David “Buster” McGee, Jr., 78, passed away on September 7, 2024 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 25, 1945 in Augusta, Georgia to the late W.D. and Hannah McGee. 

Mr. McGee is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elsie Gayle Wooten McGee. He is survived by their children: Kenneth Marshall McGee (Jamie), Christopher “Todd” McGee (Amy), Kimberly McGee Hall (Randy); his sister Cheryl K. Hornberger (Fred); his grandchildren Stella and Kristin Fleming, Hannah McGee, Taylor and Avery McGee, Carson and Caroline Hall, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Buster, a lifelong resident of Augusta, graduated from Butler High School and attended Brewton Parker College. He worked in Civil Service at Fort Gordon, retiring in 1991. He was also the owner of Augusta Driver Training School. Through his youth, he played baseball and as a father he coached many years of little league sports. In his retirement, Buster enjoyed playing golf, billiards, and watching all sports, particularly his Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves! He mostly loved visiting his children and grandchildren. He was a long time member of St. Mark and Wesley United Methodist Churches. We will remember “Poppy” as the gentle, kind, selfless anchor of our family. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Lung Association at lung.org. 

A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. in Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rev. Greg Porterfield officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery. 

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – At an awards ceremony Saturday, News 12 received several 2024 GABBY Awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters in multiple categories.

The awards honor broadcasters across the Peach State in both large and small markets.

All of the station’s GABBY awards this year were first-place honors.

News 12 came home with awards in these categories:

• Best Online Breaking News Coverage, Small Market Digital: WRDW News Team
• Best Investigative Reporting Series, Small Market TV: Meredith Anderson, Saint Julian Cox III and Joi Daniels
• Best Breaking News Coverage, Small Market TV: WRDW News Team
• Best Newscast, Small Market TV: WRDW News Team
• Best Reporter, Small Market TV: Meredith Anderson
• Best Sports Anchor, Small Market TV: Alyssa Lyons
• Best Videographer, Small Market TV: Saint Julian Cox III
• Rising Star: Will Rioux

The GABBY honors come on the heels of a national honor for News 12.

The station recently earned the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence among small market TV stations.

The Murrow Awards are bestowed each year by the Radio Television Digital News Association, the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to broadcast and digital journalism.

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