Celebrating the life of
William H. "Bill" Geriner
July 09, 1938 - January 21, 2017
SAVANNAH - William “Bill” Henges Geriner, 78, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, January 21, 2017. Born July 9, 1938, Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Clara Henges Geriner and Henry Butler Geriner, Jr., and older brother, Henry Butler Geriner, III.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Linda Wallace Geriner (his high school sweetheart); their children, Karen Robertson (Ted), Clay Geriner (Holly), and Kristin Geriner (Wes Davis); granddaughter, Lee Robertson; grandsons, Thor Robertson and Will, Tillman, Wallace, and Mathew Geriner, all of whom adored their grandfather “Willy.”
He is also survived by his brother, Richard “Rabbi” Geriner; sister-in-law, Grace “Mickey” Wallace; brother-in-law William “Bill” Lanier (Gail); nieces, Sarah Schumm (Kurtis), Kacey Lanier, Laura Hooks (Rob); nephews, Richard Geriner (Janet), Craig Geriner, and Andrew Geriner (Annette); and one grandniece and four grandnephews.
A native Savannahian, Bill graduated from Savannah High School and attended Armstrong State College. He was a lifelong member of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension and treasured knowing that several generations of his family preceded him in worshiping there. His life was lived according to one of his favorite verses in Matthew. Bill lived his life without fanfare, quietly practicing good deeds without expecting anything in return.
His top priorities were his faith, family, friends, love of community, and problem solving. A very humble man, Bill was comfortable working behind the scenes and over the years was actively involved in numerous religious, civic and political associations.
Bill was a fearless visionary, innovator and entrepreneur. He opened his first business, Savannah Motor & Brake, in 1958 and it was in continuous operation for over 45 years. His sister-in-law, Mickey, gave him the nickname “Madman” when she saw how ferociously he attacked a problem.
There are many things his family would like to share about Bill and his life experiences could literally fill volumes of books. That said, knowing that we will be charged by the word for his obituary, we will be brief and respect his legendary frugality.
The Geriner family offers sincere thanks for the love and support of many friends as well as his decades-long physician, Dr. Roland Summers; The Landings First Responders and Security staff; Dr. Chadwick Huggins; the staff at Candler Hospital; Hospice Savannah; and Heavenly Hands.
Visitation is Saturday, January 28, 10AM at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel, immediately followed by a memorial service and celebration of his life at 11AM.
Remembrances may be sent in his memory to The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension or Hospice Savannah.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Ms. Geriner, Karen and Clay, I just learned about Mr. Geriners passing. I am sorry hear of his as he was such a good friend to our family. My father and mother were very found of him and all of the Geriner Family! As we were neighbors on Skidaway Island I had many conversations with Mr. Geriner regarding golf (of course) and life in general. He was a great man. My father new him when from childhood as they grew in Savannah and they would share some of those memories with me. I also used to love to get drive our car(right after I got my lisence)to Savannah Motor and Brake for car repairs and see Mr. Geriner! What a great man and gentlemen! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Love to all of you! Beth Roberts
- Beth Roberts, Falls Church, Va
Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I know he will be missed. Condolences to you and your family. Love, Paula
- Paula Webster, Savannah, GA
Karen, Ted and family. So very sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. Vinny
- Vinny Powers, Savannah, Ga
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will always remember Mr Geriner fondly. ~Lauren
- Lauren Lantz, Savannah, Ga
My father, Armand Wells, used to send all of the company cars at the Atlantic Mutual Ins. Co. to Bill for service. Many times I would accompany Dad to Bill,s shop. He was a fine man and will be missed. Nothing but good memories of Bill Gerner. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
- Joe Wells, Savannah, Ga
Love and prayers from the FIREBALL 40 team.
- Wilsons, Savannah, GA
It is so hard to say goodbye to a longtime friend such as Bill. He was a great person and will always be remembered in our hearts. Our sincerest condolences to the family and please know he will be truly be missed by all who knew him.
- Neal & Scott Simmons and Family, Rincon, Ga
I have known Bill for many years.He worked on my car at Savannah Motor and Brake.My deepest sympathy for the entire family for your loss.Whenever I saw him he always asked if I was still playing music(The Rogues Band).He will be missed by all who knew him.
- Ronald Lusk, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. Kathy DeYoung Ryan
- Kathy DeYoung Ryan, Savannah, GA
We were so sorry to read of Bill's passing. We send our deep sympathy to Mrs. Geriner and all his family! Henry and Patricia Roebling
- Roebling, Savannah, GA.
Dear Karen, We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family on the death of your Father. May he Rest in Peace. Love, Edwin and Kathleen Orzada
- Orzada, Savannah, GA
I am Ann Harris Annette Geriner's mother! So sorry to hear of the loss of Bill! I danced with him at Andrew and Annette's wedding reception! He was so gracious cute and fun the times that I saw him ! My sympathies to the family! Sincerely, Ann
- Ann Harris, Baton Rouge-, La.
Sorry to hear that Bill has passed away. Good guy.
- Bob White, Greensboro , Ga
Great man, taught me a lot. Story for your loss.
- Mike.Viers, Savannah , Georgia
Our deepest sympathies to the Geriners. So many great memories at Fox Island.
- Troy Hutchinson, Milton, GA
YEA MON HE WILL BE MISSED WE HAD SOME ADVENTROUS TIMES GROWIN UP IN SAVANNAH ALWAYS READY TO LEND A HAND WITH RACE CARS AN FISHIN OVER AT FOX ISLAND HE AN LINDA WERE TOPS IN NORA AN OUR BOOK WE HAD OUR LAST FAMILY LUNCH AT JOHNY HARRIS GOD BLESS THE GERINER FAMILY IN THER HOUR OF NEED
- FRANK M PAPY, FOX ISLAND , SC
Our deepest sympathy to the family, Especially Linda!
- Judy and Chuck Farrell, Savannah, Georgia
Very sorry to hear of Boll's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Roger Benton, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I will miss my old friend. For many years he was on one end of the block and I was on the other end of 37th St. He was quite a guy. Our prayers are with his family. One day we will all be together again.
- Ernie & Linda Sessoms, Savannah, Ga
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I will miss my old friend. For many years he was on one end of the block and I was on the other end of 37th St. He was quite a guy. Our prayers are with his family. One day we will all be together again.
- Ernie & Linda Sessoms, Savannah, Ga
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. William "hinges" was a close and lifelong friend. We will be there to celebrate his life on Saturday.
- Billy d., North augusta, Sc
Mrs Geriner my heart goes out to you on your loss. You were and are an amazing person when I got sick way back when. My only hope is that your strength and love for Mr. Geriner is greater than the pain I know you must be feeling right now. You are in my thoughts and my prayers as well as Clay and Kristen.
- Cindy Wilson, Richmond Hill, Ga.
I would like to express my deepest condolences for your loss, it's never easy going through the passing of a loved one. You might take comfort in God's promise found at Revelation 21:4 which says God "will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” This scripture gave me hope when I experienced loss, I hope it can do the same for your family. May the memories you have help you endure this difficult time.
- Jae Mckenzie , Savannah , GA
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family especially Linda. God bless you. Bill will be missed by all who knew him. He was a hard working man.
- Richard Davis, Savavannah, Ga
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are saddened to hear of Bill's passing and your loss, but we are relived to know he is in God's arms and no longer in pain. We are here for you, Linda, Holly, Clay, and family. Lean on us. Much love, Beverly Sheppard
- Beverly Sheppard, Savannah, Ga
A great guy. Always fun to be with. Affectional known as Lump Lump We'll miss you.
- Bill White, Savannah, , Ga.
So sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was an amazing man and I have very fond memories of him from my youth. He will be deeply missed.
- Scott Crawford, Cumming, GA
Ms. Geriner, Karen and Clay, I just learned about Mr. Geriners passing. I am sorry hear of his as he was such a good friend to our family. My father and mother were very found of him and all of the Geriner Family! As we were neighbors on Skidaway Island I had many conversations with Mr. Geriner regarding golf (of course) and life in general. He was a great man. My father new him when from childhood as they grew in Savannah and they would share some of those memories with me. I also used to love to get drive our car(right after I got my lisence)to Savannah Motor and Brake for car repairs and see Mr. Geriner! What a great man and gentlemen! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Love to all of you! Beth Roberts
- Beth Roberts, Falls Church, Va
Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I know he will be missed. Condolences to you and your family. Love, Paula
- Paula Webster, Savannah, GA
Karen, Ted and family. So very sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. Vinny
- Vinny Powers, Savannah, Ga
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will always remember Mr Geriner fondly. ~Lauren
- Lauren Lantz, Savannah, Ga
My father, Armand Wells, used to send all of the company cars at the Atlantic Mutual Ins. Co. to Bill for service. Many times I would accompany Dad to Bill,s shop. He was a fine man and will be missed. Nothing but good memories of Bill Gerner. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
- Joe Wells, Savannah, Ga
Love and prayers from the FIREBALL 40 team.
- Wilsons, Savannah, GA
It is so hard to say goodbye to a longtime friend such as Bill. He was a great person and will always be remembered in our hearts. Our sincerest condolences to the family and please know he will be truly be missed by all who knew him.
- Neal & Scott Simmons and Family, Rincon, Ga
I have known Bill for many years.He worked on my car at Savannah Motor and Brake.My deepest sympathy for the entire family for your loss.Whenever I saw him he always asked if I was still playing music(The Rogues Band).He will be missed by all who knew him.
- Ronald Lusk, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. Kathy DeYoung Ryan
- Kathy DeYoung Ryan, Savannah, GA
We were so sorry to read of Bill's passing. We send our deep sympathy to Mrs. Geriner and all his family! Henry and Patricia Roebling
- Roebling, Savannah, GA.
Dear Karen, We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family on the death of your Father. May he Rest in Peace. Love, Edwin and Kathleen Orzada
- Orzada, Savannah, GA
I am Ann Harris Annette Geriner's mother! So sorry to hear of the loss of Bill! I danced with him at Andrew and Annette's wedding reception! He was so gracious cute and fun the times that I saw him ! My sympathies to the family! Sincerely, Ann
- Ann Harris, Baton Rouge-, La.
Sorry to hear that Bill has passed away. Good guy.
- Bob White, Greensboro , Ga
Great man, taught me a lot. Story for your loss.
- Mike.Viers, Savannah , Georgia
Our deepest sympathies to the Geriners. So many great memories at Fox Island.
- Troy Hutchinson, Milton, GA
YEA MON HE WILL BE MISSED WE HAD SOME ADVENTROUS TIMES GROWIN UP IN SAVANNAH ALWAYS READY TO LEND A HAND WITH RACE CARS AN FISHIN OVER AT FOX ISLAND HE AN LINDA WERE TOPS IN NORA AN OUR BOOK WE HAD OUR LAST FAMILY LUNCH AT JOHNY HARRIS GOD BLESS THE GERINER FAMILY IN THER HOUR OF NEED
- FRANK M PAPY, FOX ISLAND , SC
Our deepest sympathy to the family, Especially Linda!
- Judy and Chuck Farrell, Savannah, Georgia
Very sorry to hear of Boll's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Roger Benton, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I will miss my old friend. For many years he was on one end of the block and I was on the other end of 37th St. He was quite a guy. Our prayers are with his family. One day we will all be together again.
- Ernie & Linda Sessoms, Savannah, Ga
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I will miss my old friend. For many years he was on one end of the block and I was on the other end of 37th St. He was quite a guy. Our prayers are with his family. One day we will all be together again.
- Ernie & Linda Sessoms, Savannah, Ga
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. William "hinges" was a close and lifelong friend. We will be there to celebrate his life on Saturday.
- Billy d., North augusta, Sc
Mrs Geriner my heart goes out to you on your loss. You were and are an amazing person when I got sick way back when. My only hope is that your strength and love for Mr. Geriner is greater than the pain I know you must be feeling right now. You are in my thoughts and my prayers as well as Clay and Kristen.
- Cindy Wilson, Richmond Hill, Ga.
I would like to express my deepest condolences for your loss, it's never easy going through the passing of a loved one. You might take comfort in God's promise found at Revelation 21:4 which says God "will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” This scripture gave me hope when I experienced loss, I hope it can do the same for your family. May the memories you have help you endure this difficult time.
- Jae Mckenzie , Savannah , GA
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family especially Linda. God bless you. Bill will be missed by all who knew him. He was a hard working man.
- Richard Davis, Savavannah, Ga
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are saddened to hear of Bill's passing and your loss, but we are relived to know he is in God's arms and no longer in pain. We are here for you, Linda, Holly, Clay, and family. Lean on us. Much love, Beverly Sheppard
- Beverly Sheppard, Savannah, Ga
A great guy. Always fun to be with. Affectional known as Lump Lump We'll miss you.
- Bill White, Savannah, , Ga.
So sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was an amazing man and I have very fond memories of him from my youth. He will be deeply missed.
- Scott Crawford, Cumming, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
