William Bryan "Bill" Grimes

William Bryan Grimes (Bill), 91, of Columbus, GA died Sunday October 16, 2016 at his home. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 21, from 6-8:00pm in the Wynnton Room at Striffler Hamby Funeral Home, on Macon Road in Columbus. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 3:00 in the Chapel at Striffler- Hamby with burial at Parkhill Cemetery immediately after. Following the graveside service, everyone is invited to return to the Mill Room at Striffler Hamby for food and fellowship. The service will be conducted by Dr. Jimmy Elder of First Baptist Church. Honorary pall bearers are Richard Little I, Richard Little II, Ron Gibson, Edward Gibson, Bill Grimes, and Brent Grimes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Scottish Rite and/or the Shriners Hospitals for children.

Bill was born March12, 1925 in Cusseta, Marion County, GA the son of Clifford Capers Grimes and Lucinda Ann Dobbs White Grimes. Growing up in Columbus, he graduated from Jordan High School and went to work for the Central of Georgia RR. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in January, 1943 (WW II) and was assigned to the Patrol Bombing Squadron 131 in the Aleutian Islands where he earned the rank of Aviation Radioman Second Class. He flew many missions against enemy forces and was awarded both the Victory Medal and the Air Medal. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Navy in February 1946, he enrolled in Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), attained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949, and continued his work with the railroad. He married the love of his life Emelyn Redmond later that year in December of 1949. They moved to Savannah, GA where he and “Em” lived and loved for 56 years and where he later joined the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. They spent their time traveling the world. He was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Emelyn and his 8 brothers and sisters and their spouses. Gertrude (Clinton), Ed Lou (Mac), Hazel (Ancil), Jewel (Ray), Alice (Lowell), Josephine (Bob), Gene (Betty), and Lem (Joyce). Survivors include many nieces and nephews, their children, and long-time family friends Richard and Pat Little, their children, and grandchildren.