William Hamilton Peltier III

William Hamilton Peltier III, 89, of Watkinsville, died Thursday, August 27, 2026. Born in Flint, MI, on August 25, 1937, he was the son of the late William Hamilton Peltier Jr. and Juliann White Peltier. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Frances Gooley Peltier, in 2020.

Mr. Peltier graduated from St. Matthews school in 1955, attended Flint Junior College before serving in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1957 to 1960, including a tour of duty in Morocco.

Returning from service, he earned a BS in Biology from Northern Michigan University, where he met his wife, Dorothy Francis Gooley Peltier, followed by a MS in Zoology from Michigan State University.

In 1966, he worked as an Aquatic Biologist with the Tennessee Valley Authority, while living in Chattanooga, TN, and later Florence, AL. In 1971, he moved his family to Athens, GA, to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV Surveillance and Analysis Division.

After 26 years, Mr. Peltier retired in 1996, as the EPA’s National Expert in Effluent Toxicity Testing and a recipient of its highest honor, the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service. He provided his expertise and technical assistance to many countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America for the development of their toxicity testing programs.

Mr. Peltier was an avid gardener, genealogist, golfer, fisherman, hunter and a devoted supporter of the Catholic Center at UGA, assisting with its operations, holiday activities, and gardens.

His passion for genealogical research traced his Peltier family line to an ancestor who emigrated from Gallardon, France, to Quebec City, Canada, in 1636. At the 2001 Detroit 300 Tricentennial, he was recognized as a descendant of one of the first 300 families associated with the city’s founding in 1701.

Survivors include his sons: William Hamilton Peltier IV, his wife Melanie Peltier, and grandson Ryo, of Hampton, Georgia; and Christopher Francis Peltier and grandsons, Nathan, Charles, Oscar, of Brussels, Belgium. He is also survived by his brother, James Patrick Peltier, and his wife, Sheila Ryan Peltier; and his brothers-and sisters-in-law, Elfried Gooley, Jean Salem, and Jim McDermott.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Brian McNavish on Tuesday, September 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Catholic Center at UGA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Friars Infirmary and mailed to the Catholic Center at UGA, 1344 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30605.

Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.