BY GOD, what a ride it was. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Murray County lost its unofficial mayor, lead storyteller, and most loyal neighbor, Greg Wilbanks, at the age of 69. A man whose roots didn't just grow in Ramhurst—they were buried deep in the sawdust of his granddaddy's sawmill and the red clay that he made his stomping grounds.

Greg was a handful from the start. As a teenager, he worked the sawmill by day for his granddaddy, but by night, he was famous for "borrowing" the log trucks to go out on the town with his friends. He always managed to return them by sunrise—though usually with the gas tank bone-dry. He grew up listening to stories and keeping customers entertained at Granny Max's country store, and he carried that local pride into the family-owned parts store, NAPA, alongside his father and his brothers.

If you lived in Murray County, you knew Greg. He never met a stranger, and "By God," he never forgot a name. Whether he was mowing ditches for the county in his 20s, working in the chicken houses, plowing a garden, or driving the tractor in the hay field, Greg turned every job into a social event. At the end of a long day, his front yard became the local headquarters for the "Ramhurst Ramblers" to gather for a cold beer and catch up on the local news.

Or perhaps you were one of the lucky kids on his school bus. Greg wasn't just a driver; he was a guardian. He made sure no child ever went without a warm coat or lunch money, earning the quiet gratitude of parents across the county.

But for all the lives he touched in town, his favorite audience was always at home. Greg was the kind of father who believed some lessons were best learned behind a steering wheel; he patiently, and perhaps colorfully, taught his daughters how to drive, ensuring they had his trademark confidence on the road. Some of their fondest memories were spent perched beside him on the tractor, feeling like they were on top of the world as he worked the Georgia red clay.

That playful spirit only grew when he became a grandfather. Known affectionately as "Bop," Greg had a rule that no grandchild was ever too small to be part of the action. He never made them feel like they were in the way; instead, he made sure they were right beside him on his side-by-side. Those rides were legendary—filled with neighborhood gossip, "Bop's" unique brand of wisdom, and a healthy dose of shared mischief. To his grandkids, he wasn't just a grandfather; he was their partner-in-crime, their biggest fan, and the man who made sure they always felt like they belonged exactly where they were.

A lifelong fixture of the annual Wagon Train, he was a sight to see behind his team of racking horses pulling his red wagon with music blasting for all to hear. In later years he became a proud member of the Murray County Saddle Club; he was the king of the campsites, cruising on his side-by-side to make sure he didn't miss a single conversation.

When he wasn't behind the reins, he was on his tractor—mowing down a field or going to help a neighbor. But he was most famous for his "neighborhood patrol," cruising the roads of Ramhurst to see who was home, tell the latest gossip, or offer that iconic wave to everyone he passed.

The last eight years brought many health challenges, but they never broke Greg's spirit or his need to "check on things." When he could no longer drive, his devoted wife, Marty, became his chauffeur, driving him anywhere he wanted to go so he could tell stories. Even when he could no longer get in the vehicle, Greg stayed at his post. He spent his days in his recliner, looking out the window at the road and watching the people he loved. During his last two years, his bed was placed so he could still look out that window—watching the world go by and keeping a watchful eye on Ramhurst. His family remains forever grateful to the hospice team who provided such compassionate care during this time. They didn't just look after Greg; they became a cherished part of his daily life, helping him finish his ride with dignity and grace.

Greg was preceded in death by his infant son, Little Gregory Jerome Wilbanks Jr; his parents, Buddy and Catherine Wilbanks; his grandparents, Jim and Maxine Wilbanks and Marie Cantrell; and his brothers, Tony and Charlie Wilbanks.

He leaves behind his steadfast wife of 43 years, Marty Wilbanks. His legacy lives on through his daughters, Gina Binion and Samantha Wilbanks Keener; and his beloved grandchildren, Karrigan and Kaleb Binion, AnnaKate, Carol, and SarahGrace Keener. He is also survived by his siblings, Brad Wilbanks and Cathy Brindle, along with a vast network of nieces, nephews, and extended relatives, and a lifetime's worth of friends who were neighbors by location but family by heart.

Per Greg's firm wishes, there will be no formal visitation or funeral service. He wanted his friends and neighbors to remember him exactly as he was—sitting on a tractor, holding court at the chicken house, or waving from his truck. Greg has been cremated, and his family will honor him by scattering a portion of his ashes in the places he loved most across the county. The remainder will be laid to rest with his family in the Wilbanks Family Cemetery in Ramhurst.

A Celebration of Life gathering for the "Ramhurst Ramblers" and all who loved him will be held at a later date.

In his honor: Next time you're driving through the neighborhood, slow down, wave at a neighbor, and tell a story that starts with "By God." That's exactly how Greg would have wanted it.