William George

William Barton George passed away peacefully from heart failure at his home Sunday evening, June 3, 2012 with his loving and devoted wife of sixty years, Mary Budd, at his side. Billy George was born in Atlanta on June 5, 1927, the son of Bill Barton and Gladys Dorsey George. He grew up in Garden Hills, graduating from Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy) in 1945 and the University of Georgia in 1949 where he was active member of Chi Phi. Billy George led an exemplary life; a dedicated husband and family man, earnest, hardworking and successful businessman, a kind and truly compassionate man with a keen wit, a good friend to so many. He was President of Aristocrat Ice Cream Company for fifteen years before selling the company to Mayfield Dairies in 1978. Subsequent business successes included Precision Label Industries and Georgia Freezer Company of which he was a founder. Billy was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry. Of the many organizations where Billy was active, he most enjoyed his involvement with The Lovett School as a long serving member of the Board of Trustees where he remained an Emeritus Member until the time of his death. He was also active as a member of The Piedmont Driving Club serving as a Director for several years and as its President from 1978 to 1980. His compassion for others brought service to Goodwill Industries where he served on the Executive Committee as well as a longstanding membership in The 300 Club of Atlanta which supports the families of Atlanta's police officers wounded or killed in the line of duty. Billy is survived by his wife Mary Budd George, their four children, William Barton George, Jr., Ross Bowdre George (Dee), Mary Coleman Jones (Craig), Elizabeth George Foley (Frank), seven grandchildren; Ross Bowdre George, Jr., Bowdre George Longo (Rob), Katharine Bradshaw Antrim (Hugh), Anne Townshend Bradshaw, Rebecca Boyd Bradshaw, William Coleman Foley, and Jack Ross Foley, and a sister, Elizabeth George Pope. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Billy's loyal caregivers and friends, DeVlaming A. Peace, Jr. and Alice Dean. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Billy George will be held at Patterson's Spring Hill at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 7. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Shepherd Spinal Center are appreciated.