William "Bill" D Emrich, Sr.

Retired Lieutenant Commander William "Bill" D. Emrich, Sr, United States Navy, 89 of Adel passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville following a brief illness.

Mr. Emrich was preceded in death by his father, Jeff Emrich; mother, Louise Emrich Flowers; sister, LaFaye Sansbury, and loving wife of sixty-five years, Mattie Ruth Emrich. LCDR Emrich was born September 10, 1932. Following graduation from Cook High School in 1950, he enlisted in the Navy. Mr. Emrich was stationed in Korea from May 1951 - November 1952. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam: Danang (November 1968 - November 1969) and Saigon (August 1971 - August 1972.) After twenty-six years of dedicated service to the United States Navy, he retired in April 1975. 

After retirement, Mr. Emrich returned to Adel and worked as Sales Manager for Adel Steel, Inc until July 1988. He then founded and served as President of Steel Building Systems, Inc, until his retirement in December, 1998. 

Mr. Emrich is survived by his three children, Danny (Teresa) Emrich of Adel, Bunny (Lin) Parrish of Adel, and Phil (Pamela) Emrich of Adel; grandchildren, Brandon Emrich, Nikki Emrich, Bubba (Shayla) Emrich, Dalton (Katie) Lampe, Trevor Lampe, Will Parrish, and Robin (Deron) Roberts; great grandchildren, Drew Dobbins, Graham Emrich, Gracie Mae Emrich, and Gensie Ruth Emrich; sister, JoAnn Stone; sisters in law, Virginia Bennett and Betty Lloyd; a host of nieces and nephews, and a very special friend, Virginia Forehand of Orlando,FL

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Purvis Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Blair officiating and the VVA Chapter #1090 of Adel providing military rites. Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Emrich, Bubba Emrich, Trevor Lampe, Dalton Lampe, Will Parrish, and Hank Pitts. Honorary pallbearers will be The Round Table Club and The Vietnam Veterans. Music selections are "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Anchors Away." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cook County Boys and Girls Club, 1200 N. Hutchinson Ave., Adel, GA  31620.

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