Paul Wafford Yancey Bessiere

Paul Wafford Yancey Bessiere, age 68, of Kennesaw, Georgia died Sunday August 7, 2016. Paul was born January 13, 1948 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents father, Jean Wesley Bessiere and mother, Bobbie Staffins Bessiere. Paul attended E.P. Howell Elementary School in Atlanta. Upon completion of their new house in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He graduated from James L. Riley Grammar School. He attended and graduated from W. F. Dykes High School in Atlanta, in 1965. Upon his graduation he immediately became an apprentice electrician and joined the IBEW Local Union 613. He graduated in 1970 as a Journeyman Wireman and later became a Master Electrician. As the years went by Paul joined many organizations. In 1975, Paul joined the Masons and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 22, 1975. He is the Past Master of Roswell Lodge #165. He became a district deputy to the Grand Master of all Masons in 1980. He was a honorary member of LeRoy Duncan Lodge #262 F.&A.M. Paul became a Royal Arch Mason on May 29, 1976, he became a 32nd degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Mason. On March 20, 1981 he became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Yaarab Temple in Atlanta, Georgia. Later, he joined the Shrine Clown unit and performed under the name of "Mumbles". On July 31, 1982 he became a Chartered Member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon of the Georgia State Forest #181. Paul is a Charter and founding member of Thomas L. Scott Lodge #739 F.&A.M. and was a three time Past Master and Director of Works for many years of said lodge. Also, he was a member of the American Legion Post #201 of Alpharetta, Georgia.

In 1984 Paul went into business as an Electrical Contractor until his retirement.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara Thurmond; brothers Gene W. Bessiere and wife Lisa of Forsyth, Georgia and Eddie L. Bessiere of Dawsonville, Georgia; daughters Kimberly Murray and Lindsay Bessiere; step-daughter Hope Cushen and step-son Shane Boynton and wife Tammy, two biological grandchildren Brandon Murray and Zachary Hollenbaugh, two step-grandchildren Katie and Harper Cushen and nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, August 10, 2016 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 2950 Cobb Parkway North, Kennesaw, Georgia 30152. Interment will be at 3:00 PM, August 10, 2016 at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

The family will be receiving friends and relatives from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Paul's name to the Alzheimer's Association.