W. Dan Greer, 78, of Covington, died Sept. 15. The son of Bernard and Evelyn Hays Greer, he was educated in the Covington City Schools and Oxford College of Emory University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University in 1950 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a Bachelor of Laws from Emory University School of Law in 1951. After graduation, he became an assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, working closely with the Department of Agriculture. He later joined George P. Dillard's law firm in Decatur. While in practice in Decatur, he served as an Assistant DeKalb County Attorney for several years and judge of the City of Decatur Municipal Court. He later served as Deputy Revenue Commissioner of the State of Georgia for approximately 20 years. He was partner in the Atlanta law firm of Heyman and Sizemore where his practice covered a broad range of legal issues from anti-trust to insurance regulation to complex litigation. In 1982, he left Heyman and Sizemore to return to Covington where he maintained an office for Dillard, Greer, Westmoreland and Wilson until 1988. At his death he was the senior partner in the Covington firm of Greer, Stansfield & Turner LLP where he was well respected for his legal knowledge, especially in zoning and land use matters. He practiced law ably and with distinction until his death. He was known for his keen legal mind, his civil and courtly demeanor and his gift for storytelling.
He was a longtime member of Covington First United Methodist Church, Covington Kiwanis Club, Old War Horse lawyer's Club, Newton County Bar Association and Alcovy Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He served as president of the Newton County Historical Society and chairman of the Newton County Library Board and served with distinction on the committee which led to the adoption of the City of Covington's Historic Preservation Ordinance. He was a lover of opera, visual arts and books. Through his beloved wife of 52 years, Martha Carrington Greer, who preceded him in death, he was actively involved in the High Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Atlanta.
Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law Bonnie and Charlie Tedder of Marietta and Beth and Jeff Dunlap of Greenville, S.C.; sister and brother-in-law Faye and Mort Ewing of Covington; grandchildren Erin Dale, Scott Dunlap, Cary Tedder, Kelly Dunlap and Patrick Dunlap; great-grandchildren Dylan and Allie Dale; beloved companion Betty Mitcham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hays Family Cemetery Fund, 1554 Woodlawn Road, Covington, 30014. The family will receive friends at Harwell-Wheeler Funeral Home Thursday, Sept. 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Covington First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Whatley and the Rev. Royeese Stowe officiating. Interment will follow at the Hays Family Cemetery, Mansfield.
