Stanley Wilson Appleton

The gregarious, humorous and witty personality of Stanley Wilson Appleton, of Gainesville, Georgia, fell silent on April 3, 2025. Stanley died peacefully with his wife by his side, following a long period of declining health.                             

Born in Gadsden, Alabama on May 23, 1943, Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. B.W. Appleton; brother, Thomas Henry Appleton; and nephew, Charles Wilson Appleton. He is survived by his wife, Nora “Susie” White Appleton, Gainesville, Georgia; son, Heyward Gignilliat, Oxford, North Carolina; son and daughter-in-law Darrell and Leslie Gignilliat and grandchildren Miles, Sydney and Evie Gignilliat, Chattanooga, Tennessee; and sister and brother-in-law Janet and Ken Payton, Auburn, Alabama. Stanley leaves behind many nieces and nephews including Hank (Donna) Appleton; Lori (Mike) Daniel; Jill (Jeff) Tidmore; Jennifer (Shane) Carter; Rand (Jaime) Payton and Cacye Payton as well as cousins Jean (Ed) Stead, Henry Stanley and Swift (Stella) Tarbell.

After graduation from Collinsville High School, where he excelled in both sports and academics, Stanley attended Auburn University to study agricultural economics. While there, he served on the Ag School Council, was a student government board member and a member of the Poultry Science Club. He was an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and continued to support his beloved alma mater and fraternity until his death.

After his graduation from Auburn in 1965, Stanley joined Salisbury (Poultry) Laboratories, where he achieved the rank of top salesmen for several years. Upon leaving Salisbury in 1980, he became Vice-President of Select Labs, Inc. in Gainesville, Georgia. Following a merger, he then became Vice-President of the Global Avian Division of Rhone Merieux. This position involved extensive travel abroad and Stanley found no trouble in adapting his southern personality with the French culture. Rhone Merieux evolved into Merial, Select, Inc., of which he was President until 2008, when he retired. “Retirement” did not slow Stanley for a moment, and he became owner and president of ChixChat LLC, where he served the animal health industry in the U.S. as a strategic consultant. Stanley was always willing to share his knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, recruitment and industry surveys and product sales and marketing.

Stanley’s experience and expertise in the poultry world was a sought-after commodity and he generously served on the Advisory Council for the Wallace Community College Agriculture Department, the Allied Committee for the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, and the Advisory Committee for the Auburn University Poultry Department. He also served on numerous committees of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association as well as the Georgia Poultry Federation and was a member of the National Egg Company.

Locally, Stanley was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, the Lake Lanier Auburn Club and the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, where he was a member of the Anglers Sunday School Class. In Gainesville, Stanley was on the board of The Arts Council and the Salvation Army for many years. He also volunteered with the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce, and the Independent Transportation Network for Seniors. Stanley loved nothing more than ringing The Salvation Army bell during the Christmas season, a task perfectly suited to his larger-than-life personality.

Stanley will be remembered as one who always supported his family, friends and the causes that he loved with a generous heart and an ample dose of humor. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church. Visitation will follow in the church parish hall. Interment will be in Alta Vista Cemetery.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200.

For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com