William "Bill" McCrary Pickard

William McCrary (Bill) Pickard, age 87, died January 18, 2023, at St. Simons Island, Ga. He was born April 23, 1935, in Columbus, GA, son of Aldine McCrary (Mac) and Martha Gloer (Mutt) Pickard. Having attended public schools in Columbus, he graduated from Mercer University in 1957, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and played on the baseball team. Entering the Army through the R.O.T.C. program as a 2nd Lt., he served on active duty for seven years, both in Germany and the United States, later retiring in the Army Reserves with the rank of Colonel.

In addition to his military career, he served as a bank trust officer with Columbus Bank and Trust Co. (now Synovus), in Columbus, before transferring to Brunswick in 1986 and later retiring in 1996 from Synovus Trust Company and The Coastal Bank of Georgia as Senior Vice-President and Trust Officer, with thirty-three years of trust banking service. He was a member of St. Simons United Methodist Church, where he taught The Beacon Class for 35 years, having sung in the choir and also serving in various leadership positions throughout the church. He was a member of Kiwanis International, both in Columbus and locally in the Brunswick Kiwanis Club, for any years, as well as Post 166, American Legion, and the Military Officer’s Association of America.

Prior to retirement, Bill was very active in community affairs, having served as Director and Treasurer of The American Heart Association and as a Director of The United Way, during which time he was designated as the United Way Volunteer of the Year. He served as a Director of the Georgia Banking Trust Association and numerous terms as a Director and President of the Shaw’s Bounty Homeowners Association. He enjoyed golf, reading, music and travel.

He is predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Dean Pickard.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ann K. Pickard; his daughters Elizabeth P. Hinton of St. Simons Island, GA, and Susan P. Faircloth (Jay) of Cary, NC; grandchildren Bradley Hinton (Dina), Sarah Keller (Eric), Taylor Faircloth and Faith Faircloth; great grandchildren Madison and Emma Hinton, and Harper and Brooks Keller; a sister, Kay Curry of Brunswick, GA.

A memorial service will be held at St. Simons United Methodist Church at 11am on Saturday, January 28th.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Bill’s memory, may do so, either to the charity of their choice, or to the Building Fund of St. Simons United Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Pickard family.