William Walter Rambo

The Honorable William Walter Rambo, born August 27, 1974, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on February 14th. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 3 pm at First Methodist Church of Americus and a private family interment will be held at a later date. The service will be one to honor William’s gifts of love and laughter and one to glorify the God who has healed him and made him whole. The Reverend Jared Willet will officiate.

William Rambo was the celebrated son of two adoring parents. He was known in his family for his joy and enthusiasm at a very tender age. His warmth and encouragement were gifts to them. Younger brother to Norris, they were the best of friends sharing the same killer wit and magnetic personality that always invited others into their bond of friendship. A fiercely devoted son, he was a faithful and loving caregiver to his mother, Dodie. William and his mother were the envy of the dance floor at SAE parent weekends. Their infectious love of life and adoration of each other were on full display for all to enjoy. Honoring her as much as she honored him, it was sacred for all to witness his tenderness in caring for each and every need as she fought long-term illness. Suffice to say, William was a good son to Dodie and Bo…the best that a parent could ever hope for and pray to have.

William attended The University of Georgia. He excelled in golf, was a member of the UGA Golf Team, and received The Vince Dooley Academic Athlete Award. A proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, he enjoyed lifelong friendships with his fellow fraternity brothers. He epitomized the fraternity’s definition of a True Gentleman and was proud of his association with the Pledge Class of 1993. William was rare in that he had deep friendships with members in all pledge classes, a very uncommon scenario for most, but standard for him. He received his Juris Doctor from Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University in 2001. As a student, he was serious and devoted to excellence. As a practicing lawyer, he became one of the most well-respected legal minds in the area. With a gift for oration and a keen understanding of the law, William’s legal showmanship was impressive to watch.

William was a vibrant member of the Americus civic community. Upon his graduation from law school, he went into private practice with the prestigious law firm of Gatewood, Skipper, Rambo & Moore, P.C. In 2013, he was commissioned as Judge of the State Court Sumter County by Governor Nathan Deal and served with a sense of compassion and fairness until his death. He was beloved in the courthouse and by law enforcement. His light-heartedness in stressful situations and his sense of humor shone brightly, but it was how he treated others that made him so memorable. He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, The Leadership Georgia Class of 2009, the GSW Golf & Professional Golf Management Board, the Griffin Bell Men’s Golf Association, the Rotary Club of Americus, and served on the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Perhaps the work he would have been most proud of was his dedication and membership to Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus. He was a founding member, served on their vestry, as well as serving as the church’s chancellor. He was faithful, had a servant’s heart, and was committed to the church’s mission and vitality. As he battled and endured the hardships of sickness and waning health, he never missed a healing service and told a fellow church member, “Don’t worry about me! I gotta a firm grip on the hem of Jesus’s robe!” This edifies his faithful assurance that he knew healing would be his through the love and power of his Savior he knew so very well.

William had many terms of endearment–Judge, Willie, Rambo, Uncle “Dub.” One of those rare humans that you just couldn’t help but like, William drew you in and begged to be a part of your story. His expertise was in relationships, and he excelled in that endeavor. Most people are fortunate to have a few close friends in their lives, but William’s ability to “run deep” with so many was a testament to his devotion, empathy, and loyalty to others. In reality, to spend time with William Rambo meant that you were family to him. If you ever needed “a pick me up,” William was good for it. He brought people together; he was an encourager and ready to make the best of any situation. Passionate about every moment, he “loved out loud” to those he called friends and family. A true friend, in every sense of the word–loyal, hilarious, spontaneous, and always up for an adventure if it meant creating just one more memory with you. His infectious grin drew you in and always left you coming back for more fun and memories.

William was a showman, a master of the narrative, and could dazzle his audience with the best stories. He loved his music and could lay down a song with the best of them. Creativity came easily to him and was refreshing to anyone on the receiving end. Always the first one up and the last to sleep, his friends profess that if you count his “awake time” he would far outlive all of them. He loved Athens, UGA, the outdoors, golf, grilling the perfect steak, and a good fire or back porch conversation with friends. He loved a good party and was the perfecter of the play list. His expression of joy was in his dancing, and he was a willing participant to dance with anyone who felt the urge to hit a dancefloor!

While William’s biological family is small, there seems to be no end to his friends’ who lovingly call him their own family. He claimed his nephews and his friends’ children as his own. He was intentional about celebrating their accomplishments and their milestones. He worked diligently to be a part of their lives in the most wonderful of ways...always sharing a smile, a hug, and unforgettable wisdom. William taught us to seize the moment and celebrate the days. He loved so beautifully, and he knew he was loved and adored every step of the way.

Mr. Rambo was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy King Rambo and his aunt Dianne King Foss. He is survived by his father, Charles Norris Rambo, Sr., brother, Charles Norris Rambo, Jr. and sister-in-law, Laura Kate; nephews, Lennox Reed Rambo and Charles Norris Rambo III; cousins, Lydia Warren Foss, Ashley Foss Holt (John), Margaret Couldwell Atkinson (Joshua), Benjamin Hines (Emily), Dorothy Morgan, and William Richard Foss (Amy); and his loving, faithful friends and caregivers, Catey and Brian Simmons. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcomed at Saint John’s Anglican Church of Americus located at 230 Southland Road, Americus, Georgia 31709.