Celebrating the life of
Will D. "Billy" Herrin
May 03, 1944 - January 05, 2009
Will Doty "Billy" Herrin
SAVANNAH - Will Doty "Billy" Herrin, age 64, died peacefully on January 5, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather as well as a faithful friend to many.
Billy was the son of the late Bertram Joseph Herrin and Anna Weeks Herrin. He spent his childhood in Pooler, Georgia and later moved to Savannah. He was a graduate of Savannah High School and Georgia Southern University with a degree in accounting. He owned Savannah Concrete for 27 years, was a partner of Mobile Concrete in Hinesville and a partner in Satilla Mining in Jesup. After retiring from these businesses, he focused on real estate purchase and development.
As an active member of the community, Billy was involved in numerous political campaigns and civic organizations. He was a member of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Savannah for more than 35 years. The Homebuilders Association honored him with the first Associate of the Year Award in 1977 and the coveted Hall of Fame Award in 2004 for outstanding service to the organization. He was also a member of the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church.
As an avid outdoorsman and an advocate for the environment, Billy was appointed to the Board of the Department of Natural Resources for two consecutive terms. He was also a long-time member and past president of The Forest City Gun Club.
Throughout his life, nothing was more important to Billy Herrin than his family. Billy and Diane, his high school sweetheart and, later, his wife, were devoted parents to three children and grandparents to nine grandchildren. After Billy's father passed way, he took over his father's farm much to the delight of his grandchildren and him. Once they were out of diapers, the grandchildren spent many days with him at the farm running in the fields, fishing in the pond, riding the tractor, collecting pecans and numerous other activities. Billy also hosted family and friends for dove hunts, the Annual Silver Queen Corn Shucking Party and his first Pumpkin Patch Party.
In addition to his wife, Diane, survivors include their children Brett Herrin, Mark Herrin and his wife Kari, and Julie Herrin Stoever; and his grandchildren, Dustyn, Brannen and Meredith Herrin; Athon and Asher Herrin; and Mason, Blake, Joseph and Grace Stoever. Additional family includes siblings Ann Wilson Jerry, Sue Herrin, Bertram Herrin Mary, and Jean deVegter Mike; aunt and uncle, Mrs. Lewis H. Herrin of Pooler and S. Elmo Weeks; sisters-in-law, Judy Farrell Chuck and Margie Richards Claude; brother-in-law, the late Frederick Mullis; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Billy Herrin will forever be loved and missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Graveside services will be held Friday, January 9, at the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AFLAC Cancer Center c/o the Carter Samuel Martin Innovative Therapy Research Fund at 1687 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2320; Emory Transplant Center, Attn: Helen Fogleman, 1364 Clifton Road, NE, Box 7, Atlanta, GA 30322; and the Humane Society at 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.
Please know that your family will remain in our daily prayers. We have been greatly saddened by the news of Billy's death.
- Van and Mary Brooks Sewell, Atlanta, GA
Brett and family, We are so sad to hear of Mr. Herrin's passing. We only knew him for a short time but enjoyed each and every moment we spent together. What a wonderful man & dove hunt host he was. We will treasure those memories forever. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Victor and Stacy Weston
- Victor Weston, Springfield, GA
Diane and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on your loss.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Diane, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
- Nancy Youmans Sutlive, Fleming, GA
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
- John and Gay Oldfield, Savannah, GA
Mark, You and your family are in our thoughts during this sad and difficult time.
- Johnny and Angela Southerland, Savannah, GA
Billy Herrin was a faithful and effective member of the Board of Natural Resources. I very much appreciated the opportunity to work for DNR while he served, and he became a close personal friend and colleague. My heartfelt expression of sympathy to Diane and members of the Herrin Family.
- Lonice Barrett, Atlanta, GA
May God's peace be with the Herrin family. Billy always had a great story to share about his many adventures and he will be sadly missed. Everyone that lives dies, but only a few really know how to live while they are here! Billy knew how! Remember the good times and know that there were many.
- Robyn Quattlebaum, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts our prayers, and our sympathy are with you and your family.
- Truck & Trailer Leasing, Oxford, AL
I know I join hosts of friends saddened at the news of Billy's death, and I extend to his family my sincere sympathy, prayers, and warmest best wishes.
- A. DEWEY WILLIAMS, ROCK HILL, SC
Billy was a great friend and I will miss him dearly. He was a wonderful and unselfish public servant serving on the DNR Board when I was Commissioner - a great steward of the land and devoted to his family!!
- Joe Tanner, Atlanta, GA
I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Herrin's passing. I know from dealing with the death of my own father, Preston, that this is a very hard time and nothing can lessen the loss you've experienced. Please know that the Gilmore family sends its thoughts and prayers for you all.
- Keith Gilmore, Savannah, GA
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Herrin Family. Mr. Herrin was a kind gentleman. He always took time to say hello and ask how my family was doing. He will be missed. I know The Herrin Family have many wonderful memories of Mr. Herrin that they will cherish for a long time. Try to keep those family traditions going throughout the coming years that Mr. Herrin started.
- Mark T. Bouy, Savannah, GA
To Jean, Sue and all of the Herrin Family, my heart goes out to each of you in the loss of your brother, Billy. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless each of you with comfort.
- Ann Youmans O'Quinn, Richmond Hill, GA
To Mark,Brett, and Julie, Although I only met your father a couple of times, it was easy to recognise him as a great man. Sorry for your loss Tony Beasley
- tony beasley, ellabell, GA
Billy was a good friend and a wise man. The life he lived made a positive difference on all those around him. The number of friends he made and the lives made better because of him are immeasurable. He will be sorely missed.
- Dia Bettencourt Stokes, Augusta & Tybee, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know he will be missed by all.
- Bonnie Stapen Bock, Atlanta, GA
Diane and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. We wish to express our deepest sympathy. Billy was always a gracious host thru out the years when we were able to visit with you all. Our love and prayers, Sue and John Richards
- Sue & John Richards, Thomson, GA
Wishing Mrs. Diane the best. It was a real pleasure working with Mr. Billy at Coastal Sand. He was a great person as well as a boss. He will be greatly missed by everyone he came in contact with. Mr. Billy will be especially missed by us.
- SONNY/KAREN MCCLENDON & FAMILY, meldrim, GA
Our hearts go out to your family and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Joey and Ashley Cetti
- Joey Cetti, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts, our prayers,and our sympathy go out to the Herrin family. Billy was a good man and he will be missed.
- Frank and Judy Ouzts, Savannah, GA
My sincerest sympathy to all the Herrin family - I know you will miss this wonderful guy - it was a joy growing up next door to all of you -
- Elton Hitt, Winchester Center, CT
Please know that your family will remain in our daily prayers. We have been greatly saddened by the news of Billy's death.
- Van and Mary Brooks Sewell, Atlanta, GA
Brett and family, We are so sad to hear of Mr. Herrin's passing. We only knew him for a short time but enjoyed each and every moment we spent together. What a wonderful man & dove hunt host he was. We will treasure those memories forever. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Victor and Stacy Weston
- Victor Weston, Springfield, GA
Diane and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on your loss.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Diane, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
- Nancy Youmans Sutlive, Fleming, GA
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
- John and Gay Oldfield, Savannah, GA
Mark, You and your family are in our thoughts during this sad and difficult time.
- Johnny and Angela Southerland, Savannah, GA
Billy Herrin was a faithful and effective member of the Board of Natural Resources. I very much appreciated the opportunity to work for DNR while he served, and he became a close personal friend and colleague. My heartfelt expression of sympathy to Diane and members of the Herrin Family.
- Lonice Barrett, Atlanta, GA
May God's peace be with the Herrin family. Billy always had a great story to share about his many adventures and he will be sadly missed. Everyone that lives dies, but only a few really know how to live while they are here! Billy knew how! Remember the good times and know that there were many.
- Robyn Quattlebaum, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts our prayers, and our sympathy are with you and your family.
- Truck & Trailer Leasing, Oxford, AL
I know I join hosts of friends saddened at the news of Billy's death, and I extend to his family my sincere sympathy, prayers, and warmest best wishes.
- A. DEWEY WILLIAMS, ROCK HILL, SC
Billy was a great friend and I will miss him dearly. He was a wonderful and unselfish public servant serving on the DNR Board when I was Commissioner - a great steward of the land and devoted to his family!!
- Joe Tanner, Atlanta, GA
I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Herrin's passing. I know from dealing with the death of my own father, Preston, that this is a very hard time and nothing can lessen the loss you've experienced. Please know that the Gilmore family sends its thoughts and prayers for you all.
- Keith Gilmore, Savannah, GA
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Herrin Family. Mr. Herrin was a kind gentleman. He always took time to say hello and ask how my family was doing. He will be missed. I know The Herrin Family have many wonderful memories of Mr. Herrin that they will cherish for a long time. Try to keep those family traditions going throughout the coming years that Mr. Herrin started.
- Mark T. Bouy, Savannah, GA
To Jean, Sue and all of the Herrin Family, my heart goes out to each of you in the loss of your brother, Billy. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless each of you with comfort.
- Ann Youmans O'Quinn, Richmond Hill, GA
To Mark,Brett, and Julie, Although I only met your father a couple of times, it was easy to recognise him as a great man. Sorry for your loss Tony Beasley
- tony beasley, ellabell, GA
Billy was a good friend and a wise man. The life he lived made a positive difference on all those around him. The number of friends he made and the lives made better because of him are immeasurable. He will be sorely missed.
- Dia Bettencourt Stokes, Augusta & Tybee, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know he will be missed by all.
- Bonnie Stapen Bock, Atlanta, GA
Diane and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. We wish to express our deepest sympathy. Billy was always a gracious host thru out the years when we were able to visit with you all. Our love and prayers, Sue and John Richards
- Sue & John Richards, Thomson, GA
Wishing Mrs. Diane the best. It was a real pleasure working with Mr. Billy at Coastal Sand. He was a great person as well as a boss. He will be greatly missed by everyone he came in contact with. Mr. Billy will be especially missed by us.
- SONNY/KAREN MCCLENDON & FAMILY, meldrim, GA
Our hearts go out to your family and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Joey and Ashley Cetti
- Joey Cetti, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts, our prayers,and our sympathy go out to the Herrin family. Billy was a good man and he will be missed.
- Frank and Judy Ouzts, Savannah, GA
My sincerest sympathy to all the Herrin family - I know you will miss this wonderful guy - it was a joy growing up next door to all of you -
- Elton Hitt, Winchester Center, CT
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
