William Anderson DuPre III

Billy lived a full, generous and productive life that touched more people than can be counted. He was born in Marietta in 1933 and grew up in Rome, Georgia. He graduated from Darlington School in 1951 and Georgia Tech in 1955 with a BS in Industrial Management. After graduating from Tech Billy served as a second lieutenant in the army in postwar Germany before returning to Rome to begin his career.

He served as a leader and on committees too numerous to list at First United Methodist Church, where he was a steadfast and generous steward for over 50 years. He also served, on the Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors of Darlington School, as Chair of the Hospital Board, on the Board of Directors of Trust Company Bank of Northwest Georgia, the Board of the Coosa Country Club and as a long time supporting member of Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. He was a devoted father and husband who shared his passion for the outdoors (especially his knowledge and love of the bobwhite quail, its management and increase) with his family and closest friends.

Billy married Tesa on Pearl Harbor Day in 1957, and returned to Rome. He went to work for Garner & Glover Company, eventually buying the independent insurance agency and growing it to one of the most successful agencies in North Georgia. He also developed Saddle Mountain, started the first Georgia franchise for Bojangles Fried Chicken in the early 1980s and started a successful Puma shoe distribution business for the Southeastern U.S. Billy was an astute business man, who was known to be plainspoken, fair and honest in all his dealings, and willing to take risks that others would not take.

In addition to his first and only true love, Tesa, his wife of 58 years, Billy dearly loved his children and grandchildren, his sister Lelia DuPre’ Barrett (and her husband Hale), his Church, First United Methodist (andits preachers, especially Garnett Wilder), wild quail management and hunting, bird dogs, golf with good friends, Georgia Tech, speculating in land, his devoted staff and friends at Garner & Glover, being partners with Matt Sirmans and watching him continue to grow Garner & Glover, turkey hunting, genuine friends, trout fishing, singing off key (some favorites being “You are My Sunshine”, “Enjoy Yourself (its later than you think)” and “When The Saints Come Marching In”), playing gin rummy, cooking venison chili for the local shelter, Varsity chili dogs and onion rings.

He served God quietly and without pridefulness, but with humbleness and gratitude.

He is survived by his beloved Tesa, his son, William Anderson DuPre’ IV (Leigh), three daughters, Hollis DuPre’ Linginfelter (Matt), Lelia DuPre’ Reynolds (Steve), and Virginia DuPre’ (Michelle), his sister, Lelia DuPre’ Barrett and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, William A. DuPre’ Jr. and mother, Susan Nichols DuPre’.

Funeral services were held at the First United Methodist Church Monday at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2016. A visitation was held Sunday at Daniel's Funeral Home and Monday following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Rome, or the Coosa River Basin Initiative.