Jr. William J. Greene

William Jeff (Bill) Greene, Jr, age 97 of Atlanta, GA went home to be with his Lord on February 1, 2012. William was born and raised in Atlanta. He attended the old Atlanta Boys High School and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1936 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the army during WWII and retired from the reserves as a Lt. Col. with 24 years of active and reserve duty.

Mr. Greene began his water industry career with Wiedeman and Singleton Engineers. Over the next 48 years he advanced to Vice President, having become a partner in 1959, and Managing Partner in 1970. Following his retirement in 1984 he remained active in the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, and becoming a Life Member of GAWP and AWWA. In his honor the GWAP created the William J. Greene, Jr. Award in 1989. He also was elected into the American Water Works Association Hall of Fame in 1995. In honor of that milestone achievement, the GAWP established the William J. Greene, Jr. Scholarship. That scholarship has provided financial support to 15 students to further their education at Georgia Tech, his beloved alma mater.

Mr. Greene was a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America Troop #171 in Fairburn, GA for 39 years, demonstrating the values of work, integrity, and citizenship to hundreds of young men. He was most proud of mentoring 22 Eagle Scouts. He held the highest Scouting award, the Silver Beaver, and remained an active member of the Board of Directors into his 80’s. Mr. Greene joined Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta when he was 12 years old, and he and his late wife Clifford were active members of Central for over 65 years. Mr. Greene was a ruling elder, Superintendent of the Sunday school, and President and later Treasurer of the Brotherhood Class where he began his tradition of giving apples as a reward for attendance. This generosity of giving bags of North Georgia apples grew to include hundreds of people every year.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Clifford Reese. He is survived by his son, Paul Reese Greene of Atlanta; sister-in-law Susie Greene of Michigan, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many wonderful friends.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington Street, Atlanta with the Reverends Gary Charles and Caroline Kelly officiating. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Central Presbyterian Church before the service from noon until 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 or to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 or the charity of your choice.