William Hays Fish

A private celebration of his life is planned for Saturday, November 22.

There is much to celebrate. William lived a long and happy life with his wife, Helen Marie Snyder. They were married almost 70 years. He is also survived by his three daughters; Barbara Ballisty, and her husband Terry, of Roswell, GA; Janet Cook, and her husband Jim, of Douglasville, GA, and Ellen Murphy, and her husband Dan, of Greensboro, NC. He loved and was loved by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. It is a wonderful coincidence that the entire family gathered just four weeks ago.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Edith Fish, and his sister, Mary Barbara Schrader. His is survived by another sister, Jean Van Volkenberg.

William bravely served in WWII. He was a recipient of a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star. Following the war, he began a career with Remington Rand Office Equipment and was there until he started his own business, The Business Equipment Center of Atlanta, in 1975. The company exists today.

Upon his retirement, William and Helen, resided in Hilton Head, SC. There, he helped to found Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that brings together retired physicians and patients unable to afford health care. Now the free clinic has 600 volunteers and 30,000 patient visits annually. I can't mention William's retirement without mentioning tennis. He loved tennis and played constantly! You were a lucky person if William Fish was your friend. He was as loyal as they come. He treated his employees fairly and with kindness. He protected and respected his fellow soldiers. He especially loved his wife, Helen, and his family, as they loved him. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations payable to, Volunteers in Medicine HHI, 15 Northridge Drive,Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. To donate online, please go to: www.vimclinic.org/donate