William (Bill) Claude Terrell, 74, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA. Bill was born in LaGrange, GA on December 8, 1948, to the late James William Terrell and Fannie Butler Terrell. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Donna Terrell Tillem, brother-in-law, Larry Tillem, and sister-in-law, Ellen Traylor Terrell.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Deborah (Debbie) Shannehan Terrell, daughter Emily Terrell Pitts (Greg), son Benjamin Butler Terrell (Laura) and daughter Betsy Terrell Skinner (Robert), six grandsons, William Pitts, Rob Skinner, Jack Terrell, Charlie Pitts, Matthew Skinner, and Andrew Terrell, all of LaGrange, nephew Toby Tillem (Becky) of Douglasville and niece Sheree Tillem Henderson (Chris) of Roswell, his brother James F. (Jimmy) Terrell of Winder, brothers-in-law, Don Shannehan Jr. (Kathy) of Essex, CT, Bill Shannehan (Mary) of Lake Worth, FL, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his many, many friends.
Bill was a 1966 graduate of LaGrange High School, attended Auburn University, and graduated from Georgia Southern College where he was a charter member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. His career included pharmaceutical sales with several years in the large animal health field. The family moved through Georgia and Tennessee to Texas, and in 1987 he came home to LaGrange becoming National Sales Manager of Kleen-Tex Industries, Inc. He remained in the textile laundry industry with positions at Aramark and Pinnacle Textiles until his retirement at age 72. Bill served on many trade association boards and was known to all as “Mr. Hospitality.”
He was an avid runner for years, loved the game of golf, reading, and spoiling his best friend, their shih tzu, Genie. He especially enjoyed the company of his grandsons, keeping up with comings and goings and all of their sports. A favorite pastime was sharing tales with his buddies at Highland Country Club. Bill proudly served at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church as an usher and past Vestry member.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at St. Mark’s, officiated by the Reverend Andrew Gordon, Rector. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 207 N. Greenwood St., LaGrange, GA 30240, or the Joe Dougherty Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Scott Gordy, P.O. Box 2210, LaGrange, GA 30241.
