William "Billy" Joseph Doyle

William Joseph Doyle, 85, transitioned from the loving embrace of his family into the loving embrace of God on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm at his home on 53rd Street, surrounded by family. Heaven will truly be more fun with his arrival.

Billy was a lifelong resident of Savannah, GA. He graduated from Benedictine, class of 1941, went on to attend Springhill College and the University of Georgia, receiving a BA in Journalism. He served proudly in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked in real estate then moved on to mortgage banking at Georgia Federal for many years. He retired from the bank in 1988 as Vice President, but continued to do appraisals for the Veteran's Administration and others until 2004.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and an usher there. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also past President and founding member—the last surviving founder—of the Sinn Fein Society.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Lanier Doyle of Savannah; daughter Daphne Doyle Norris of Rincon, son Kevin Christopher Doyle of Manhattan, and daughter Molly Patricia Doyle Hamilton of Durango, CO; grandchildren Brittany Sophrone Brown, Charles Lindy Brown III and Ruby Kathleen Hamilton; son-in-laws Jack Clayton Norris III and Christopher Samuel Hamilton.

He was known by many in Savannah—most of them Doyle's, Winters' or Russo's and many not technically related at all—as 'Uncle Billy.' He had a quick wit and a long list of jokes that would take years to get through. He will be greatly missed. Our loss is Heaven's gain in a great storyteller, a loving father, a devoted husband. But the laughter and love he brought into this world will go on in all of us.

Pallbearers: Michael Winters, Patrick Winters, Charles J. Russo III, Jack Clayton Norris III, Chris Samuel Hamilton, Charles Lindy Brown III, Linton Lanier, Gary Dantis, Will Burgsteiner, David DeBorde.

Honorary Pallbearers: Sinn Fein Society.

Visitation: 3-5pm Sunday, November 16th at Blessed Sacrament Church
Rosary: 5pm Sunday, November 16th at Blessed Sacrament Church Funeral Mass: 11am Monday, November 17th Blessed Sacrament Church Burial to follow Mass at Catholic Cemetery on Wheaton St.

Remembrances may be sent to Hospice Savannah and Blessed Sacrament Church.