The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Max Willingham, Founder
Every great company has a story, and ours begins with one incredible man—Max Willingham.
More than 50 years ago, Max founded W & W Septic Tank Service with a simple vision: provide honest, dependable service while treating every customer like family. Through hard work, integrity, and a commitment to doing the job right, he built more than just a business—he built a reputation that continues to serve families throughout Paulding County and the surrounding areas today.
Max wasn’t just known for his work in the septic industry. He was a respected member of the community, a trusted friend to many, and someone who believed a handshake still meant something. His values shaped this company and continue to guide everything we do.
Although Max is no longer with us, his legacy lives on every single day. If you’ve seen one of our trucks, you’ve probably noticed the words
“Founder: Max Willingham”
proudly displayed on the door.
We keep his name there as a reminder of where we came from, the standards he set, and the legacy we’re honored to continue. Today, W & W remains a locally owned, family-operated business committed to the same principles Max believed in over five decades ago—honesty, hard work, quality service, and treating our customers like family. Thank you, Max, for laying the foundation that continues to serve our community.
Your legacy lives on, one customer at a time.
THE VOICE BEHIND THE COMPANY
Remembering Joyce Willingham
If you’ve ever called W & W Septic Tank Service over the years, chances are the friendly voice on the other end of the line belonged to Mrs. Joyce Willingham.
Joyce wasn’t just the one answering the phone—she was the heart of our office. She had a special way of making every customer feel like family. Whether you called with a septic emergency, a simple question, or just needed someone to listen, she never rushed a conversation. She genuinely cared about people.
Many customers remember hanging up the phone after talking with Mrs. Joyce feeling like they had just spoken with an old friend. She always took the time to ask about your family, listen to your story, and almost every conversation ended with her signature words:
“Have a blessed day!”
Just like Max, Joyce was a pillar of the Paulding County community.
She believed that kindness, compassion, and treating people with respect mattered just as much as providing great service. Although Joyce is no longer with us, her legacy continues to shape who we are.
Every time we answer the phone, we strive to carry on the values she lived by—treating every customer with patience, kindness, and genuine care. We want every person who calls W & W to feel welcomed, appreciated, and like part of our family, just as Mrs. Joyce made so many people feel for decades.
Her voice may no longer answer the phone, but her spirit lives on in every conversation we have.
Our Team
Lee & Promise
Owner
Operator
Lee is the son of our founder, Max Willingham, and proudly took ownership of W&W Septic Tank Service in 2019. While you may not see or hear from him very often… well, that’s what he pays Angie for!
Behind the scenes, Lee keeps the business moving forward, making sure every customer receives the honest, dependable service W&W has been known for for over 50 years. His goal is simple: continue the legacy his father built while serving the community that has supported W&W for generations.
Hayden & Amelia
Next Generation
Hayden is the great-grandson of our founder, Max Willingham, and proudly represents the fourth generation of the W&W family.
When he’s home from college, you’ll likely see him helping wherever he’s needed—pumping tanks, assisting the crew, or making a quick trip to the supply house when Larry needs something. He’s always willing to jump in and lend a hand while continuing the family tradition of serving our community.
Angie, Hayden & Tony
Office Manager and Chaos Coordinator
As the granddaughter of our founder, Max Willingham, Angie has been part of W&W since she was 16 years old, helping out whenever needed. In 2018, she stepped into a full-time role and has since become the voice, organization, and “Chaos Coordinator” of the company.
She wears more hats than we can count—answering phones, scheduling jobs, ordering materials, helping customers, handling paperwork, marketing the business, and even making runs when the crew needs something.
Her passion is making sure every customer has a great experience from the first phone call to the completion of the job. She’s always looking for ways to improve the company, give back to the community, and carry on the legacy started by her grandparents.
Elaine and Mike
Operations Support
Mike is the oldest son of our founder, Max Willingham. After retiring from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, he returned to the family business to help continue the legacy his father started.
Larry
Lead Technician
Larry has been a valued member of the W&W family since 2019 and serves as our Lead Technician. He truly treats our customers like family, and that’s exactly the way we like it.
Whether it’s routine maintenance or a complicated repair, Larry takes pride in doing the job right the first time.
Don’t just take our word for it—check out our Google reviews. We promise we’re not making it up!
Sam
Technician
Sam has been with W&W for over four years. He may be a man of few words, but when it comes to septic work, he means business.
He’s dependable, hardworking, and the type of person who quietly gets the job done without needing the spotlight. Around here, we know we can always count on Sam.
More Than a Team… We’re Family
For over 50 years, W&W Septic Tank Service has been built on honesty, hard work, and treating people the right way. While our trucks, equipment, and technology have changed over the years, one thing never has:
We treat our customers the way we’d want our own family treated.
When you choose W&W, you’re choosing a local family that truly cares about your home, your septic system, and our community.
We look forward to serving you for many years to come.