William J.H. Peters

William John Henry Peters (Jr.), born January 25, 1936, the first born child of the Late William and Lula Bell Peters of Madison, (Morgan County) Georgia. On Wednesday, July 21, 2021 God welcomed William to his Heavenly mansion and he accepted the call. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Lula Bell Peters; wife, Elisabeth Elli Peters; and siblings: Leroy, James, Lucy (Robertson), Marvin, Charles, and Maggie (Jeffries). At an early age William joined the Smyrna Baptist Church and attended Smyrna and Burney Street Schools in Madison. Growing up he learned farming and prior to graduating from high school he followed in his father’s footsteps working for Pattillo Construction Company (Stone Mountain, GA) for a short period of time. As a young boy William’s overwhelming desire was to become a Soldier. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Army in March, 1955 and quickly became one of the most renowned Command Sergeant Majors (CSM) of his time. In his rise from Private to Command Sergeant Major he served in a variety of NCO leadership positions and assignments. Assignments included service as the first Division CSM of Color for the 8th Infantry Division in Germany (1980 -1983) and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Other assignments included Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Germany (4 Tours),Vietnam (2 Tours) and Fort Monroe, Virginia. On April 27, 1956, William met the love of his life and was united in holy matrimony to Elisabeth Elli Knoll. This union was blessed with two sons: Walter and Robert Peters. In November 1987 William culminated a distinguished military career of thirty-three years of dedicated service to a grateful Nation which took him across the world from North America to South America all in one day many times. He led by example which inspired his four brothers, nephew and niece to enlist and serve in the United States Army during wartime and peacetime. William’s military awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (w/3 OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Service Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/numerical 4, Combat Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and numerous other awards and accolades. Following retirement from the military William continued working as a civilian employee for twelve plus years in Civil Service. After his second retirement in 2002 he cared for his ailing wife, Elisabeth until her death in December, 2009. William was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hampton, Virginia until his health began to fail. He enjoyed attending weekly bible study class. He played an integral role in the Sunday Supper Outreach Ministry whereby he attended every Sunday to greet and welcome the guests. His hobbies were reading, jogging, listening to music (Temptations), cutting his lawn, do-it-yourself home projects, and helping his neighbors and friends in his community. Lastly, he enjoyed driving his van home to Georgia to see his family. April 2020, when William’s health began to fail he journeyed back to Georgia to be close to family. He resided in Conyers, Georgia until his passing. He leaves to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy, sons: Walter P. Peters (Heather) (KS) and Robert G. Peters (FL); four grand-children: Summer Peters (KS), Elizabeth Dunn (NY), Nicholas Peters-Rhoads (MO) and Ridge Melo (KS); two great-grandsons: Preston and Julian Peters of (KS); sisters: Thelma Kelly, Gloria Peters and Patricia Cabil; brothers: (Ret) SGM Johnny Peters (Evelyn), Curtis Peters (Karen), (Ret) CSM Michael Peters (Sharon), Leon Peters (Pat) and (Ret) SFC Ricky Peters (Toni); extended families: Rev. Alfred Murray (Gerri) and Family, Mary A. Peters and Family, Broderick Fields and Family, Henry, Boswell, Gordon, Johnson, Pettigrew, Cook-Cox, Grant, Majied (PA), Peters(OH), Hampton and Weith Families; St Paul Court (VA) neighbors and friends: Hyatt, Renold, Stouch, Plummers, Immaculate Conception Congregation (VA), brother-in-laws (Germany), nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. A prayer service will held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday August 1, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 2150 Cunningham Dr. Hampton, VA 23666. The family will receive friends half an hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Hampton Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to offer condolences.