William S. Orange, III, “Bill”, an accomplished lawyer, loving husband and father, and resident of St. Simons Island, GA, died at home peacefully and surrounded by family on July 1, 2020 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 73 years old.
Born March 6, 1947 in Richmond Virginia to William S. Orange, Jr and Mary Orange, Bill was wise, courageous, generous, and a fighter from the beginning. He was one of three children. He was happiest when he was playing baseball, basketball, or football. He was a dedicated student and hard worker.
After graduating with high honors from Highland Springs High School in Richmond, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served four years in Vietnam, stationed in Phan Rang.
After serving in the Air Force, Bill attended Virginia Commonwealth University for his undergraduate degree, and then The University of Georgia Law School where he received his Juris Doctor in 1979.
Bill was a practicing attorney in Brunswick for 41 years. He was well known and respected by many in the community and enjoyed his job with every bit of passion he had. He built a reputation of honesty and no-nonsense in his office. He was often looked to for advice from his peers due to his desire to never stop learning about Bankruptcy’s ever changing laws.
Bill enjoyed spending time with his wife, Lori, and his two children, Brooke and Will. Bill was a dedicated father and coach to his children and so many others. He never missed a dance recital or a ball game. The family enjoyed salt water fishing, frequent trips to their second home on the beach in Ponce Inlet, Florida, and trips to Disney. Bill and Lori were avid shooters and took great pride in their shooting skills. Bill was a classic car collector and baseball/college football fanatic. There were no Bulldogs or Braves games missed, and he enjoyed a friendly wager with his friends and co-workers every football season.
Bill’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by his wife of 38 years and longtime caretaker, Lori Pitts Orange; children Brooke Orange Butler (Brent), William Earl Orange, and his doting mother in law Buena Hutchinson Pitts who we all lovingly know as MeMa, all of St. Simons Island. He is preceded in death by his father William Samuel Orange, Jr, mother, Mary Lois Orange, a sister Janice Orange of Richmond, Virginia. He is survived by his brother Wayne Orange of Los Angeles, California and a cousin Barbara Orange of Cumming, Georgia.
The family wishes to thank Georgia Hospice Care and Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville, Florida for their thoughtful service and tender care.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 3, 2020 at Edo Miller from 6:00-8:00 pm. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at 11:00 am at Shellman Bluff Baptist Church Cemetery.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com
