Hansel Horton

Mr. Hansel Robert “Pete” Horton, age 80, of Mt. Vernon, died Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Community Hospice House in Vidalia after an extended illness. He was a native of Glenwood and lived there until moving to Mt. Vernon in 1961. He was owner and operator of Pete’s Garage in Mt. Vernon, was a police officer with Mt. Vernon Police Department, and retired from Montgomery State Prison after thirty-four years. He also served as a volunteer firefighter and former fire chief of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department. Pete was a member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon where he served as deacon and member of the Men’s Sunday school class. He enjoyed fishing and camping at Lake Oconee. He is preceded in death by his son, Robin Horton; parents, Hansel Rawlins Horton and Nora Holcomb Horton; three siblings, James Burkett, Annie Ruth Sears and Cleo Ethridge.

His family includes his wife of sixty-two years, Janice Powell Horton of Mt. Vernon; one daughter, Tonya Horton Ward and husband Joey; four grandsons, Tyler Horton and wife Leilani, Dillon Ward and wife Ellie, Mason Horton and wife Brittany, and Devan Ward and wife Katelyn, all of Mt. Vernon; three great-grandchildren, Kaden Horton, Asher Horton and Raelynn Horton; and two nephews, Russell Burkett and wife Joann, and David Burkett and wife Shanna, all of Vidalia.