George E. Oliver was born 20 September 1914 in Covington, Georgia and attended public schools in Savannah, Georgia. He received his A.B. degree in 1936 from Presbyterian College in 1936 and earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1939. Oliver served three years as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard Reserves during World War II and following his service he returned to Savannah and began practicing as a lawyer. In December 1954, Oliver was elected recorder of the Savannah Police Court, a position that he held until 1963 when he was elected judge of the City Court of Savannah, now known as the State Court of Chatham County. In 1970, Governor Lester Maddox appointed Oliver judge of the Superior Court of Chatham County. Judge Oliver held this position for the next fifteen years until he retired to senior judge status, meaning that he was available to sit on the bench as needed. Besides a successful career as a judge, Oliver was the proud member of various fraternal organizations. He was active in Landrum Lodge No. 48 of the Freemasons in Savannah and served as their Grand Master in 1964 and was the Grand Master of Georgia's Masons in 1973. He was involved in the Alee Temple of the Shrine and served as a potentate. Oliver was also active in his church, the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah and worked thirty years as a Sunday school teacher. He and his wife, Dorothy Cornell resided in Savannah for sixty years until his death on 2 July 2004.
From the description of George E. Oliver papers, 1954-1989. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 318612330
