Wilbur Herrington, the founding station engineer of University of Georgia’s WUOG-FM, died March 29 of a malignant brain tumor. He was 83. He had been involved with the station in Athens since its launch in October 1972.
“I can honestly say that Wilbur was, and very much will always continue to be, the heart and soul of WUOG,” Operations Director Akeeme Martin told the student newspaper, Red & Black.
“He was fiercely proud of his spotless professional record, and the fact that the FCC never had to inspect WUOG,” said Tommy McGahee, a 2009 Georgia grad who worked under Herrington. “He kept that station up and running for over three decades.”
The lobby of the station’s building, dedicated in February 2009, is named in honor of Herrington.
He was born in Augusta, Ga., and served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He retired from the faculty of University of Georgia as chief radio and television engineer after 42 years.
Herrington was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Bain Herrington.
He is survived his wife, Betty Herrington; two sons, Dr. William (Nina) and George (Elizabeth) Herrington; two step-daughters, Elaine Brown and Janis Whitehead; brother Terry (Martha) Herrington; sister, Carol Rhodes; sister-in-law, Peggy Bell; and five grandchildren.
Burial was April 14 at Westover Memorial Park, Augusta, Ga., with military honors.
The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd., Augusta, GA 30909.