William Robert Lewis

William Robert Lewis “Bob” passed away on September 10, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 28, 1920 in Ritzville, Washington to Ben and Carrie (Hinrichs) Lewis, descendants of Ritzville pioneer family. Bob attended school in Ritzville and Chewelah, Washington, graduating from Jenkins High School in Chewelah in 1937. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served 3 ½ years, as an instructor for the German P.O.W’s at Fort Benning, Georgia. He worked at Atlantic Steel Company and then enrolled at Georgia State University under the G. I. Bill. Post-graduation he taught business at Georgia State. In gratitude to Georgia State for his education, later in life, he started an endowment fund for Georgia State Golfers. Many recipients of his scholarships have been able to receive their education as well as competing in college level golf and proceed to the professional level. In 1958 he started his 41 year careers at Allstate insurance as a general agent. While at Allstate he received many performance awards. He felt privileged to work with Don Boyer, Vic EberHard, and Jim Young comprising the “best agents office that Allstate had”. Bob took up golf in 1972 and loved it. Golf and gin rummy afforded many hours of pleasure to him. Each of his 9 holes- in- ones, gave him a brand new thrill. He was invited by the Roswell Rotary to participate in their Inaugural Honor Air Flight to Washington, DC so the WWII veterans could visit their memorial- members of the “greatest generation”. Bob served as president of the Personnel Club of Atlanta, board of directors at the Country Club of Roswell, member of American Legion Post 201 in Roswell, and member of the Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity at GSU, charter member of WWII memorial in Washington DC, the WWII museum in New Orleans, LA and the National Republican Party.

Survivors include his beloved wife Lynne; one daughter, Deborah Burger(Bruce); two sons, Gary(Janice) and Alan(Mimi); two step-daughters, Deborah Rearden(Joel), Laura Thompson(Neal); two step- sons, Bill Eschbach (Sherri) and Brian Eschbach (Julie); 15 grandchildren and two great grandsons, “the big guys”. A service is scheduled for Sunday September 13, 2015 at 2:30 pm at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama Rd, Johns Creek, GA. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive, Roswell, GA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.