George Milton Small III

George Milton Small III passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Known to family and friends as Milton, he married Susan “Susie” Walton in 1974 after the two met while working in Atlanta. Together they built a life centered on family, friendships, and shared interests. He was a dear friend to many, always getting to know people with a kind and respectful approach.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Walton Small; his son, George Milton Small IV (Anne Curran); his daughter, Stuart Small Beaumont (Hank); his grandchildren, McNeil Adelaide Beaumont, Waylon Earl Beaumont, Monte Steele Beaumont, and George Milton Small V; and his sister, June Marie Small.

A Raleigh native, the son of George Milton Small Jr. and June Volck Small, Milton graduated from Broughton High School in 1961 and from NCSU School of Design in 1966. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1969 as a Lieutenant, serving in Vietnam as an engineer.

After completing his military service, Milton lived in Atlanta, where he worked for Tombs, Amisano, and Wells Architects. He later returned to Raleigh to join his father’s architectural firm, G. Milton Small & Associates. Following his father’s retirement, Milton partnered with his friend Kerry Kane, and the practice became Small Kane Architects.

Throughout his career, Milton designed projects for many law firms, banks, healthcare practices, schools, WakeMed, and private country clubs. He also enjoyed his years serving on the building committee for Christ Episcopal Church.

Milton enjoyed many sports, though golf became his favorite pastime. A highlight was winning the Carolina Country Club Men’s Championship in 1998 with his son, Milt, serving as his caddie. In 2006, Milton and Susie joined The Club at Quail Ridge in Boynton Beach, Florida. There he enjoyed the game he loved, formed many treasured friendships, and looked forward to golf trips with friends to Kiawah and throughout Florida.

Milton’s interests extended beyond the golf course. He loved music, sailing, photography, and traveling. In recent years, he discovered the joy of painting, creating artwork inspired by his own photographs. He also never lost his skill at ping pong. He and his family enjoyed many spirited games together over the years.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 31st at 2pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton St. Raleigh, NC. A reception will immediately follow the service in the church parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NCSU Libraries Special Collections Research Center (2 Broughton Dr, Campus Box 7111, Raleigh, NC 27695-7111) or to Christ Episcopal Church (120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601).