Bill Otto

Bill was born in Opelika, Alabama on May 31, 1953, to Dr. Charles Stanley Otto, Jr. and Sarah Ruth Dawson Otto. He was the second oldest of five siblings.

Bill graduated from Valley High School in Fairfax, Alabama in 1971. After earning his degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University in 1975, Bill worked in the engineering department at West Point Pepperell. He co-founded Computer Engineered Solutions in LaGrange, Georgia in 1985 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer, where he engineered stitching machines, computerized tufting controls, trash compactor monitoring systems, and facility management systems.

Bill was a loving husband, a faithful and dedicated Christian man, and loyal member of First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, Georgia. In addition to being an Auburn graduate, he was also a diehard fan of Auburn Tigers athletics. Bill had a love of travel and frequently planned adventures for his family members to ensure there was no lack of quality family time.

He was larger than life and his big personality meant he never met a stranger. He lived to serve others, whether that was bringing people closer to faith, cheering on his beloved Auburn Tigers, inventing solutions to unknown problems, or stretching far beyond reasonable lengths to bring a smile to your face. Even as he struggled during his final weeks, Bill’s sharp wit and vibrant sense of humor made him a favorite to all his caregivers as he told stories about his family, his friends, and his apparent newfound expertise in helicopter aviation.

Bill was uniquely gifted with an abundance of talents and made every possible opportunity to teach his children the important qualities of empathy, love, compassion, and curiosity. Whether it was making sure to stop at every possible roadside store for his oldest son to browse rocks for his collection or fostering the unique talents of his middle son in ways that would teach important life skills or drawing “ram horns” on a “bald head” cap to cheer for his favorite Valley Ram football player, he was a natural at being a father and even better at being a dad.

Bill is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cathy Fuller Otto; his sons, Todd (Christy) Brown, Jody (Amanda) Brown, and Jonathan (Allison) Otto; his daughters, Crystal Redden, Ivy Redden, and Taylor Redden; his eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; his siblings, Charles S. (Linda) Otto, III, John (Carla) Otto, and Marilyn (Drew) Russell; his sisters-in-law, Vickie Otto and Patti (Dan) Ward; numerous nieces and nephews; his dogs, Skippy and Sadie; and his granddog, Edison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Charles S. Otto, Jr. and Sarah Ruth Dawson Otto, and by his brother, Bob Otto.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. EDT at First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, Georgia with Dr. Paul R. Baxter and Reverend Paul Blair officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. EDT at First Baptist Church on the Square.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Gideons International at www.gideons.org/donate in lieu of flowers.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary at 1010 Mooty Bridge Road in LaGrange, Georgia (706-884-8636).