COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - An elderly man who went missing in Coffee County was found safe late last night, June 18, thanks to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and their use of a drone.

Clander Patillo’s father, Walter James Williams, didn’t return home when he usually would on Wednesday, June 18. When Patillo realized her dad still hadn’t come home nearly two and a half hours later, she left work and began searching for her dad.

|READ MORE: Missing elderly Coffee County man found safe|

Patillo said that Williams left at around 2 p.m. Wednesday, and that he had taken an unfamiliar route, something that immediately concerned his family.

“It’s nighttime, and I know watching other people’s families go through this, it’s not always a great outcome,” Patillo said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I hope he’s not dead somewhere in a ditch.’ But in the end, God is good. He’s awesome.”

Around 10 p.m., Williams was found along the tree line behind his residence by CCSO’s drone operator. CCSO said that Williams, who has dementia, had fallen and was in distress when they found him. The sheriff’s office said that Williams was seen at Coffee Regional Medical Center after he was safely recovered.

This is just one example of how increasing the use of technology in rural search-and-rescue operations is reuniting families in South Georgia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in ten people with dementia will wander at least once. If not found within 24 hours, the situation can become life-threatening.

“Please don’t hesitate to call us before or during a crisis,” said CCSO’s Captain of Investigations, Todd Winkler. “Let us exhaust all efforts and resources to safely bring loved ones home.”

Officials said that community support also played a crucial role in finding Williams. More than 700 people shared Williams’ photo on Facebook, and his family believes the power of prayer and fast action made all the difference.

“People were sharing instantly. The community just came together,” said Patillo.

The family thanked both the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the local community for their help in bringing Williams home safely.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.