William "Bill" Allen Jr.

William Maxwell Allen Jr., “Bill” 74, died at his home under Hospice care in Brunswick on Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 surrounded by his family. There will be a visitation at Edo Miller Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Edo Miller Funeral Home at 3:00 PM on Monday August 13, 2018. Interment will follow at Brunswick Memorial Cemetery.

Bill was born in Columbus, Miss., to the late William Maxwell Allen and Mary Holliday Allen. He graduated from Bessemer High School, and received his B.S. in business administration at Jacksonville State University, and a Master of Public Administration degree at Georgia Southern University.

Bill was a decorated Vietnam veteran who served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1965 – 1970. After serving as Company Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and then Battalion Executive Officer of 3rd Battalion 64th Armor, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany, he served a 1 year tour in Vietnam where he was awarded multiple medals and decorations, including the Bronze Star medal for Valor. Achieving the rank of Captain during his service, Bill separated from the Army in 1970. In 1973 Bill became the Director of the Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. As director, he played a significant role in working with the Development Authority and then-First District Congressman Bo Ginn’s staff on the reuse of the former Glynco Naval Air Station. It ultimately became the permanent home of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

Bill joined FLETC in 1975 as the Public Affairs Officer. In 1980, he was selected as the Deputy Director of the Office of Administration. Over the next 20 years, he led ten different support divisions. As FLETC grew, he spearheaded the assessment of potential new training sites including in Marana, AZ, Artesia, NM, and Costa Rica. Before his retirement in 2000, Bill was instrumental in the continued success of the FLETC Management Institute, established to help rising and senior law enforcement officers and agents. He served under three directors during more than two decades of Federal service.

In 2003, he started Bill Allen & Associates Inc., a consulting business dedicated to enhancing the leadership skills of first line managers throughout the federal government. Bill served as faculty member, program director, counselor, and management consultant to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the National Security Agency and the U.S. Secret Service.

For the last three school years, Bill taught two Political Science classes at College of Coastal Georgia.

Bill was actively involved with his church, College Place UMC, and served on the board of The Methodist Home for Children and Youth in Macon, GA for 8 years, including leading as Chair. He also chaired the Local Arrangements Committee for the South Georgia Annual Conferences held at Jekyll Island in 2017 and 2018.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary M. Allen; a daughter, Laurie Fussell (Tommy) of Brunswick; a son, Billy Allen (Mitzi) of Waverly, GA. He was Papa Bill to two grandchildren, Woody Brown (Jamie) of Brunswick; Addie Leggett (Tyler) of Jesup, GA. Two and a half great grandchildren are Drake Lindberg, Aubree Leggett, and another one on the way.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Methodist Home for Children and Youth, P.O. Box 2525 Macon, GA 31203-2525.