George Quillian

George Wilkins Quillian, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on May 15, 2024 with his family at his side. He was born in Emory University, GA on February 8, 1931 to Henry M. Quillian, Sr. and Phyllis Wilkins Quillian. He attended Druid Hills Elementary, Druid Hills High School, Emory at Oxford, and Emory University where he earned a BBA degree.

George was kind-hearted, hard-working, and respectful of all people he met. He was a lifelong entrepreneur who used his ingenuity and resourcefulness to found The Quillian Company, which involved both real estate and numerous other enterprises.

He was a member of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church and the Covenant Sunday school class. While a child at Glenn he joined the scouting program and was a member of Troop 18. In 1947 he earned his Eagle Scout award and later served as scoutmaster of Troop 18 as well as helping to lead the High Adventure Explorer Post.

He served in the Naval Air Reserve, and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Druid Hills where he served as President and other roles.

George particularly enjoyed the outdoors, travel, and fixing things. Trips included camping (especially in the Airstream trailer), hiking, biking, trains and cruises. One of his main joys was being with family at homes on Lake Burton and later Lake Blue Ridge where he loved teaching younger generations water safety and life skills. George could repair just about anything and shared those skills enthusiastically.

George is survived by Cynthia Clark Quillian, his wife of 68 years, his daughters Caroline Quillian Stubbs and Claire Q Mello, their spouses John Stubbs and Frank Mello, grandchildren James Quillian Mello (Catherine), Caroline Cameron Mello (John Huff), Sarah Mello Glasgow (Kody), George Winsor Stubbs (Emma), India Elizabeth Stubbs, John Quillian Stubbs (Eudora Olsen) and great-grandsons Eric Michael Mello, Luke Rinehart Mello, Cameron Perry Huff, Boone Acer Stubbs, and Brandon William Glasgow.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 26 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Glenn Memorial followed by a reception at the home of his daughter. A private interment service will be held at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University together.emory.edu/GQuillian, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church https://www.glennumc.org/give, or a charity of your choice.