Wilson James Barrs, 84, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 1:00 – 1:50 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary – Columbus, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 pm.
WJ was born on January 28, 1939 in Quitman, Georgia, the son of Paul Bentley Barrs and Hattie Mae Cooey Barrs. He was a graduate of Quitman High School and Georgia Institute of Technology. As executive vice president of manufacturing, WJ managed concentrate production in the U.S., Canada, and abroad for Royal Crown Cola Co. (Columbus) for 26 years. He was then president of Cott Beverages USA (Columbus) for 5 years; and Chairman of the Board of Beverage House, Inc. (Cartersville) for 8 years. He was a member of St. Luke Methodist Church.
WJ was very active in his community throughout his life as a devoted fundraiser for organizations he admired, generously giving his time and expertise to help set and achieve financial goals. He was a career-long member of The Rotary Club of Columbus, faithfully checking in and attending meetings around the globe. Boys and Girls Club of Chattahoochee Valley and the Southern Open golf tournament were both especially dear to him. As a father of three sons, he was devoted to Cub and Boy Scouts throughout his life. WJ loved spending time at his cabin on Lake Harding with his children and grandchildren where they fished and enjoyed his fleet of watercraft. WJ played golf his entire life, starting on a small course in Valdosta using his brother’s clubs, to playing countless prestigious courses throughout the world.
WJ and his wife, Eileen Cheryl Klein, married in Destin, Florida and resided in Columbus, Georgia and St. Simons Island, Georgia.
WJ is preceded in death by his parents, Paul Bentley Barrs and Hattie Mae Cooey Barrs; three siblings, Paul Bentley Barrs, Jr., Martha Barrs Robertson, and James Dixon Barrs.
Survivors include his wife, Eileen Barrs; son, Wilson James (Lynn Smith) Barrs, Jr. (St. Simons Island, Georgia); son, Bradford Darley (Jenny Gwinn) Barrs (Columbus, Nebraska); daughter, Rebecca Edmee (Guy) Barrs Kenimer (Columbus, Georgia); son, Andrew Klein (Gabriela Brito) Barrs (Columbus, Georgia); his grandchildren, Mary Barrs (Orlando Leon) Schrader, Jennifer Barrs (Christopher) Flick, all of Ponte Vedra, Florida, David James Barrs (Charlotte, North Carolina), Carolyn Amanda Barrs (Austin, Texas), Guy Hayes Kenimer, Jr., Margaret Edmee Kenimer, and Kathryn Cole Kenimer, all of Columbus, Georgia; his great grandchildren, Lillian Marie Schrader, Wilson James Leon, and Luke Christopher Flick; and his many beloved nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The family suggests any memorial contributions be sent to Boys and Girls Club of Chattahoochee Valley and St. Luke Methodist Church.
