William Thomas Humphries

March 21, 1943 – July 5, 2026

William Thomas Humphries, lovingly known as Bill, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia, on July 5, 2026, surrounded by the family he cherished. He was 83 years old.

Born on March 21, 1943, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Bill was the son of Doris Humphries and the grandson of Alfred and Ruth Mills. He lived a remarkable life defined by curiosity, adventure, integrity, and an unwavering love for people. He never met a stranger, and his genuine warmth, infectious smile, and gift for conversation left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Whether at home or traveling to the farthest corners of the globe, Bill embraced every experience—and every person—with enthusiasm and kindness.

Bill was the devoted husband of Judith Ellen Humphries for 61 wonderful years. Together, they built a life rooted in love, partnership, and family. He was a proud father to three children—Bill, Bradley, and Amy—and was like a second father to his daughter-in-law, Lisa, and his son-in-law, John Lee. His greatest joy was his six beloved grandchildren: Davis,

Rowan, Rilee, Harrison, Brendan, and Maddie, each of whom brought immeasurable happiness to his life.

A lifelong learner, Bill graduated from Furman University, where he earned a master’s degree in chemistry. His distinguished career in the life sciences reflected both his scientific brilliance and exceptional business acumen.

Bill began his professional journey at Oak Ridge Laboratories, conducting research alongside some of the nation’s brightest scientific minds in the field of energy. He later joined Texas Gulf Sulphur Company in Aurora, North Carolina, as a bench chemist before being recruited to Johnson & Johnson, where his pharmaceutical career flourished.

At Johnson & Johnson, Bill’s talents and leadership propelled him from laboratory research in skin biology to increasingly influential business roles. Among his proudest professional accomplishments was leading the in-licensing of tretinoin (Retin-A) for Ortho Dermatologics, a milestone that significantly advanced dermatologic care. He concluded his distinguished tenure with Johnson & Johnson as General Manager for the Caribbean, where he successfully led all aspects of the business while residing in Puerto Rico.

Never one to stop building or innovating, Bill embraced entrepreneurship after his corporate career. Together with his friend and former Johnson & Johnson colleague, Jake Jacobs, he co-founded Dexell, a pioneering pharmaceutical marketing company. Under their leadership, the company grew into an industry leader before its successful acquisition.

His final professional chapter was spent alongside Tibor Sipos at Digestive Care International, where he served as President and helped expand a company dedicated to improving the lives of patients living with cystic fibrosis. Throughout every stage of his career, Bill remained committed to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes while mentoring colleagues and earning the respect of peers across the industry.

While Bill’s professional achievements were extraordinary, they were eclipsed only by the way he lived his life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He possessed an insatiable curiosity, a generous spirit, and an adventurous heart. He believed every destination held a new story, every challenge presented an opportunity, and every person deserved kindness and respect.

Bill was an avid runner and a lifelong advocate for staying active. When he could no longer run, he simply took up walking and rarely missed a day, logging nearly five miles each time he headed out. His other lifelong passion was golf—playing it, watching it, and talking about it. He shared a special bond with his son Bradley through the game, enjoying annual father-son trips to Bandon Dunes, a memorable retirement trip to Scotland to play legendary courses, and several unforgettable visits to the Masters Tournament.

Bill was also a master of the grill, a skill he proudly passed down to his children and grandchildren. He and Judy traveled extensively, including a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage walking the Camino de Santiago and numerous Viking River Cruises throughout Europe.

They were especially passionate about Italy, returning often and falling deeply in love with Tuscany.

Bill and Judy also made wonderful use of their Marriott Vacation Club ownership, traveling throughout the country and somehow always arriving at just the right time of year. Whether in Arizona, Utah, Southern California, or Massachusetts, they found perfect weather for the things they loved most: walking, practicing yoga, attending concerts, spending time with friends, and discovering great restaurants together.

Over the years, the Marriott team came to know Bill and Judy so well that Bill was invited to serve on the boards of Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas and Marriott’s Canyon Villas. There, he applied his sharp business instincts and extensive travel experience to help shape exceptional vacation experiences alongside his fellow board members and the outstanding general managers and leadership teams at both properties.

Bill leaves behind a legacy of love, leadership, integrity, generosity, and unwavering optimism that will continue to inspire all who knew him. His family will forever treasure the memories they shared and the example he set through a life lived fully, courageously, and joyfully.

His journey over the last six months was one he faced head-on, just as he approached every challenge throughout his life—with courage, grace, and determination. His family is forever grateful to Father Gabe Cummings, the Coastal Care team, especially Karly, Ray, and Charles, as well as the Hospice Savannah team, especially Dee. Their compassion, exceptional care, and genuine love for Bill were evident in every moment they shared with him.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of his family, friends, and the countless colleagues whose lives he touched.

A Mass and celebration of Bill’s remarkable life is being planned by the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Hospice Savannah or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.