In the book "The History of Barrow County-Beadland to Barrow" 1978-it states that on the back of the Statham Bank(Rene Stone David Lanier one of directors)envelopes following was printed to promote and advertise" Statham is a growing and prosperous town on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.It has ten mercantiles,a Hardware and Furniture Store,Drug Store,Meat Market,prosperous bank,excellent Hotel,fine dental parlor,two large suction cotton ginneries,cotton warehouse,brick making plant,livery stables,blacksmith shops,barber shops,three churches,and a free public school system.Among the improvements booked for the year 1906 is an $8,000.00 public school building.This is one of the healthiest towns in Georgia. If disstatisfied with your present location,investigate Statham for a home. W.S. Lanier,Town Clerk will be glad to answer all inquires."R.S.D. was Walter Stone Lanier uncle.Info from p. 132, Page 136-lists City Clerks-W.S. Lanier followed by many others.On page 219" When in 1912 the residents of a community just off Highway 29 near Statham felt the need of a school in their locaality,Vernie Fox and Luther Hardigee gave land for one.They,with the help of their neighbors, built what was known as Mayne's Academy.
The first teacher was Mrs. R.L.Carruth;others to follow were Mrs.Clara House,Tom Hodges,Miss Ruth Arnold,Miss Jewel Dunlap,Muller NcElroy,Miss Bessie Lanier,Walter Lanier,Miss Nolla Hardigee.
The first electors in the community were H.R.Delay,H.G.Elder,,R.J.Harvil,A.L.Martin,R.L.J. Smith,J.W.Stikes,F.B.Harris,E.W.Casper,J.I.Jones,G.W.Brewer,and Mrs.A.L.Duncan.
Classes were held at Mayne's Academy until the school was consolidated with Statham High School in 1925....."
Most of his life he was a farmer in Greene County, Barrow County, and last at Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
See bio of his wife for more info- Gail Hannah 47186089

OBIT ( most likely Oglethorpe Echo or Athens newspaper)( added info and corrected by Gail Lanier Hannah- granddaughter)
LANIER--- Mr. Walter Stone Lanier died at his home near Crawford,Georgia (Hutchins), Monday morning, February 14th,1948, at eight-fifteen o'clock following an illness of two days. He was fifty-nine of age and had resided in Crawford, the past thirteen years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Smith Lanier: two daughters, Mrs.W.T. Almand ( Agnes) of Lexington, Georgia and Mrs. James A. Ethridge (LaTrelle) of Columbus, Georgia; eight sons Mr. W.C. Lanier (Cliff) and Mr. R.P. Lanier (Parks) of Athens; Mr. R.L. Lanier (Roger) of Atlanta; Mr.H.S. Lanier (Harold/Hal) of Decatur; Mr. L.S. Lanier (Leon) of Crawford, Georgia; Mr. R.H. Lanier (Rene) of Lexington; Mr. R.C. Lanier ( Curtis/Doc) of Crawford, Georgia; and Mr. J.R. Lanier (Rozzie/Top) of Crawford, Georgia; five sisters, Mrs.Homer Hill (Bessie) of Columbus, Georgia; Mrs. D.B. Lovejoy ( Mary/ Mamie) and Mrs. J.J. Smith ( Fannie/Polly) of Sparta, Georgia; Mrs. G.L. Ethridge( Pearle) of Sandersville,Georgia; and Mrs. C.G.Roberts ( Lillian ) of Savannah, Georgia; two brothers, Mr. Raymond Lanier of Bluefield, New Jersey and Mr. George C. Lanier of Winterhaven , Florida; also ten grandchildren survive him.The funeral will be held at the Crawford Methodist Church , the date and hour to be announced later by Bridges Funeral Home of Athens, Georgia.

Two additional obits with added information

W.S. LANIER DIES TODAY AT CRAWFORD
Walter S. Lanier, 59, one of the largest operators of beef and dairy farms in this section of the state, died at his home in Crawford Monday morning at 8:15 o'clock. Mr. Lanier was ill for only two days.
Services will be conducted from Crawford Methodist Church and burial will be in the Crawford Cemetery. Rev. W.D. Gray will be the officiating minister and other arrangements will be announced.....
A native of Gwinnett County, Georgia , Mr. Lanier has been a resident of Crawford for the past thirteen years.Mr. Lanier was a member of the Winder Christian Church and was one of the largest raisers of blooded livestock .

LANIER RITES HELD TODAY AT CRAWFORD
Services for Walter S.Lanier, prominent Oglethorpe County citizen, were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from Crawford Methodist Church with Rev.W. D. Gray and Rev W. Grady Ferguson, Christian church pastor, officiating....