HINESVILLE - Retired Lt. Col. Earnest Green, 76, passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, after a long illness at home with family by his side while under the care of hospice.Mr. Green was a native of Ft. Myers, Florida. He was born on Jan. 20, 1940, to the late LeRoy and Rachael Green. Mr. Green had lived in the Liberty County area since 1962, having moved there from Savannah. He was a graduate of Lee County High School, Class of 1959. While in high school, Mr. Green was a member of the Florida National Guard. Mr. Green was also a graduate of Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., where he gained his BA in business.After graduation, Mr. Green was active duty Air Force for four years and nine months at Hunter Army Air Field. He then moved to Liberty County and joined the Georgia Army National Guard. After serving more than 36 years with the National Guard he retired as a lieutenant colonel. Mr. Green was a member of Hinesville Masonic Lodge 271, a member of Order of the Eastern Star Button Gwinnett, Chapter 497, where he served as worthy patron for many years, and as worthy grand patron of the state of Georgia. He was also a charter member of the Hinesville Officials Association, where he was a dedicated volunteer with the Liberty County Recreation Department.Mr. Green was vested in the youth of Liberty County. He loved all sports and was an accomplished woodworker. Mr. Green was a member of Hinesville First United Methodist Church. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and family.He will be dearly missed.Mr. Green was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Debra Lynn Green, and brother, Roy Van Green.Survivors are his wife of 56 years, Margaret Green of Hinesville; son and daughter-in-law, Robert "Bobby" and Heather Green of Youngwood, Pennsylvania; daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Jimmy Bitzer of Hinesville; brothers and sister-in-law, Gerald and Fatina Green, Ronnie Green and Dwayne Green all of Ft. Myers; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home in Flemington.His funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Hinesville First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dale Thornton and Chap. Ronald Knapp officiating. Burial will be at the Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at 3 p.m. with full military honors being rendered.Pallbearers will be members of the military.Honorary pallbearers will be members Hinesville Masonic Lodge 271, Order of the Eastern Star Georgia 497 Button Gwinnett and the Hinesville Officials Association.The family has requested that in lieu of flowers that remembrances be made to the Masonic Children's Home of Georgia, 1417 Nottingham Dr., Macon, GA 31211 or the Hinesville First United Methodist Church, 203 N. Main St., Hinesville, GA 31313. Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.