Col. William H. "Bill" Krueger (Ret.)

Colonel William H. "Bill" Krueger (Ret.), a devoted husband, father and grandfather who served his country as an officer in the U.S. Army and his community as a volunteer in his church and numerous civic organizations, died in Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. He was 79. Bill grew up on a farm in Bates City, Missouri, before following the admonition of his parents to get a college education. Bill earned a degree in economics in 1953 from the University of Missouri, where he was a member of the Farm House fraternity. After college, Bill joined the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer. He served in Vietnam, and was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. Shortly after joining the Army, Bill met and married Sandra "Sandy" Bounds. Bill and Sandy were married for 53 years, raising two children, Bill and Terri. Bill's final Army post was at Fort McPherson outside of Atlanta, where he retired in 1983 and went to work as a manager for The Boeing Co. Following his retirement from Boeing, Bill became active in groups ranging from the Kiwanis to the USO. He relished the smiles he got from returning servicemen who he greeted at the airport and the "knee hugs" he received from young children he read to as a member of Kiwanis. Bill served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and greeter at Dunwoody Baptist Church.

Bill enjoyed golf outings with friends, weekly gatherings to listen to bluegrass music, and reading books about the early history of the United States. He savored time with his family, be it during weekend outings on the boat at Lake Lanier, bocce games during summer reunions at the beach or holiday gatherings with his children and four grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife, Sandy Krueger; his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Sperry Krueger of Raleigh, N.C.; his daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Scott Branch of Sharpsburg, Ga.; his grandchildren, Jack and Lucy Krueger of Raleigh, N.C., and Morgan and Spencer Branch of Sharpsburg, Ga.; his sisters, Yvonne Cooper of Jefferson City, Mo., and Sharon Thompson of Branson, Mo.; and his brother, Fred Krueger of Loveland, Co. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 11 o’clock at Dunwoody Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the USO of Georgia, P.O. Box 20963, Atlanta, Georgia, 30320 or Dunwoody Baptist Church, 1445 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Georgia, 30338. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 4 to 6 at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30319.