Celebrating the life of
William Calder Avery
May 27, 1928 - November 07, 2010
Savannah- William Calder "Bill" Avery, 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2010 under the care of Hospice Savannah. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee and is preceded in death by his parents, Helen Paulsen Avery and Emmett Montrose Avery and his brother, Emmett M. Avery, Jr.
He grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Christchurch School where he was awarded the prestigious Bishop's award. He attended the University of Virginia and University of Tennessee. He served in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean conflict. He retired from Holcim U.S., Inc. as the Georgia-Florida Sales Manager.
He was a founding member of St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry as Junior Warden and Chairman of the Usher and Memorial Garden Committee and served on the Altar Guild. He was a long-time volunteer of the Owens-Thomas House Museum, a part of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences where along with his wife, received the Gertrude West Hollowbush Award for his volunteerism. He was a former member of the Savannah Yacht Club, Islands Exchange Club, Homebuilders Associates of Georgia, Georgia Concrete Products Association and Georgia Highway Contractors Association.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue Brockenbrough Avery of Savannah; two daughters, Susan Avery Smith and her husband, Curtis of Savannah and Mary Calder Avery Huebner and her husband, Michael of Pensacola, Florida. Three grandchildren, Emmett B. Smith, Elizabeth S. Brinson and her husband, Steven, and Ashley H. Smith and his wife, Kimberly and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by two nephews, Emmett M. Avery, III and Lewis Larus Avery of Richmond, Virginia.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 11, 2010 at St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church. Interment will be in the Memorial Garden with a reception to follow in Hoornstra Hall.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church, 590 Walthour Road, Savannah, GA 31410 or Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
Dearest Sue, I was very saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a prince of a man - a patient teacher, strong mentor and a kind friend. I am thankful I had the privilege of knowing Bill for as long as I did. We will miss seeing both of you together and never forget the good times we shared. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian Greenwood Nov 11, 2010 West Linn, OR
- Brian Greenwood, West Linn, OR
Dear Sue and Family, Jimmy called to tell me of Bill's passing away. I extend my deepest sympathy. Bill was a 'Gentleman's Gentleman'! Working side-by-side with Bill for many years, I benefitted from his vast knowledge and experience of the cement industry, as well as, life in general. It was a genuine pleasure to have known and worked with him. I have many fond memories of the GA/FL group salesmeetings. He will be greatly missed by all. God bless you.
- Wayne McGowan, Jonesboro, GA
Dear Sue, I am so thankful that I ran into you and Bill in Publix 2 weeks ago. I was surprised to see how frail Bill looked but that smile and joy was still there. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family but we know that Bill is fine. In Christ, Charles
- CHARLES DEPUE, Savannah, GA
Boss...yes, but more mentor and friend. The quintessential Southern gentleman. He was no 'hod carrier!'
- G. Michael Starks, Winter Springs, FL
Dearest Sue I was sadened to hear of my good friend and mentor passing away. Bill took me under his wing 25 years ago and taught me the Cement Business. He was a TRUE Southern Gentlemen in every sense of the word. I am thankful that I had the privledge to know and work with Bill. We will always remember the times we spent with you and Bill at Ponte Vedre. Many, Many fond memories.
- Jimmy Carson, Augusta, GA
Sue and family, I miss him. I shall always remember his smile and his greeting, 'Just another lovely day in Paradise' God bless him.
- Don Harwood, Savannah, GA
Dearest Aunt Sue, There are no words to express how fortunate I am for having known Uncle Bill. I have never known anyone as genuine, loving and caring as he has been... a true southern gentleman and one of the nicest people anyone could ever know. As I told you recently, the bar was set high for any suitors... for I was hoping to meet my own Uncle Bill! While I am unable to come to Savannah, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Susan, Mary, and all the children. Rusty, Nevin and Anya send their condolences as well... Much love, Sheila
- Sheila Barnes Diaf, Lilburn, GA
It goes without saying that 'Papa Bear' will be dearly missed. I always looked forward to his big bear hugs. I can't help but wonder if my Daddy and Papa Bear are chatting it up right about now. They are watching over all of us now. Do me a favor Papa Bear? Would you give my Daddy a hug for me?
- Patty & Dennis Smithwick, Douglasville, GA
Mrs. Avery, Mary, Susan & Family, With sadness we offer you our deepest condolences. Having lived in the next block from Mr. & Mrs. Avery back in the 80's and been a school friend of both Mary & Susan, you each have our thoughts and our sympathies in your loss. As kids, I fondly recall visiting Mary & Susan in your family room many years back. Mr. Avery was a gem of a man whose smile was contagious. I read fondly of the many attributes he had in offering the gift of his talents for his entire life. Our thoughts are with you each...
- Bonnie & Paul Hargrett, St. Petersburg, FL
Dearest Sue, I was very saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a prince of a man - a patient teacher, strong mentor and a kind friend. I am thankful I had the privilege of knowing Bill for as long as I did. We will miss seeing both of you together and never forget the good times we shared. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian Greenwood Nov 11, 2010 West Linn, OR
- Brian Greenwood, West Linn, OR
Dear Sue and Family, Jimmy called to tell me of Bill's passing away. I extend my deepest sympathy. Bill was a 'Gentleman's Gentleman'! Working side-by-side with Bill for many years, I benefitted from his vast knowledge and experience of the cement industry, as well as, life in general. It was a genuine pleasure to have known and worked with him. I have many fond memories of the GA/FL group salesmeetings. He will be greatly missed by all. God bless you.
- Wayne McGowan, Jonesboro, GA
Dear Sue, I am so thankful that I ran into you and Bill in Publix 2 weeks ago. I was surprised to see how frail Bill looked but that smile and joy was still there. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family but we know that Bill is fine. In Christ, Charles
- CHARLES DEPUE, Savannah, GA
Boss...yes, but more mentor and friend. The quintessential Southern gentleman. He was no 'hod carrier!'
- G. Michael Starks, Winter Springs, FL
Dearest Sue I was sadened to hear of my good friend and mentor passing away. Bill took me under his wing 25 years ago and taught me the Cement Business. He was a TRUE Southern Gentlemen in every sense of the word. I am thankful that I had the privledge to know and work with Bill. We will always remember the times we spent with you and Bill at Ponte Vedre. Many, Many fond memories.
- Jimmy Carson, Augusta, GA
Sue and family, I miss him. I shall always remember his smile and his greeting, 'Just another lovely day in Paradise' God bless him.
- Don Harwood, Savannah, GA
Dearest Aunt Sue, There are no words to express how fortunate I am for having known Uncle Bill. I have never known anyone as genuine, loving and caring as he has been... a true southern gentleman and one of the nicest people anyone could ever know. As I told you recently, the bar was set high for any suitors... for I was hoping to meet my own Uncle Bill! While I am unable to come to Savannah, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Susan, Mary, and all the children. Rusty, Nevin and Anya send their condolences as well... Much love, Sheila
- Sheila Barnes Diaf, Lilburn, GA
It goes without saying that 'Papa Bear' will be dearly missed. I always looked forward to his big bear hugs. I can't help but wonder if my Daddy and Papa Bear are chatting it up right about now. They are watching over all of us now. Do me a favor Papa Bear? Would you give my Daddy a hug for me?
- Patty & Dennis Smithwick, Douglasville, GA
Mrs. Avery, Mary, Susan & Family, With sadness we offer you our deepest condolences. Having lived in the next block from Mr. & Mrs. Avery back in the 80's and been a school friend of both Mary & Susan, you each have our thoughts and our sympathies in your loss. As kids, I fondly recall visiting Mary & Susan in your family room many years back. Mr. Avery was a gem of a man whose smile was contagious. I read fondly of the many attributes he had in offering the gift of his talents for his entire life. Our thoughts are with you each...
- Bonnie & Paul Hargrett, St. Petersburg, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
