William Ford Torrey Jr.

William Ford Torrey, Jr. age 82 of St. Simon’s Island passed away Sunday, January 14 after a brief illness. He was born on July 22, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, the 2nd child of Annette Baker Torrey and William Ford Torrey, Sr. His childhood was spent in Grosse Point, Michigan and Rye, NY. He attended The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT before receiving his B.S. in Animal Husbandry from Cornell University and his M.S. in Forestry from Duke University. With all that education, he then married Marta Thompson Bender, whom he met in Savannah, GA on one of his many trips to Ossabaw Island, which was owned by his family. Bill and Marta moved to St. Simon’s Island in 1959 where they made their home. Bill had a long and successful career in the timber and sawmill industry with Brunswick Pulp and Paper (now Georgia Pacific) and Canal Wood Industries.

An avid and accomplished hunter and fisherman, Bill is remembered by many who traveled the world with him in search of wild game, illusive birds and black marlin. Bill was one of Ducks Unlimited’s longest serving volunteers and in 2010 was awarded the Chip Allen Conservationist of the Year distinction for exhibiting a history of conserving both habitat and wildlife. Many will verify that he could out shoot, out cast and out party most everyone - even without the benefit of both arms. As one friend remarked “you know, he left nothing on the table in life’s experiences.”

Bill was also very active in his local community and served for many years on the Foundation Board of the Coastal College of Georgia.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marta, sister Annette Torrey Peck and brother Emory Meade Torrey. Left to cherish his memory and embellish his stories are: his children William Ford Torrey, III and wife Keller and Elisabeth Torrey Ansley; his grandchildren William Ford Torrey, IV and wife Blythe, Keller Thompson Torrey, Frances Ansley Lick and husband George, Sarah Elisabeth Woodward and Mallory Suzanne Morgenroth; his great grandchildren Noah and Emory; his brother Randall Ford Torrey, Sr.; several faithful labradors and anyone who fished, hunted or served with him.

The family will welcome friends on Saturday, January 20 beginning at 4pm at the residence to continue, and definitely embellish his stories. A private burial service is planned.

Memorial donations may be made to the Marta B Torrey tennis scholarship of the Coastal College of Georgia. Edo Miller and Sons are in charge of arrangements.