William P. Norman

William Peyton Norman, Sr., 87, peacefully left his earthly home and went to heaven to be with Jesus on Friday, May 27, 2011. He was a loving husband for 59 years to his wife, Iris Belle Albea Norman, who preceded him in death in 2007. He was an adoring father, grandfather, and great grandfather, affectionately known as "BaBa". William was born in Lincoln County, Georgia on June 29, 1923 to the late Peyton Wyatt Norman and the late Mary Sally Bentley Norman. He was bestowed with the spiritual gifts of wisdom, courage, and generosity, often saying "You can't out give the Lord." While a college student at Augusta Junior College (now Augusta College and State University) in Augusta, Georgia, World War II began. He enlisted in the U. S Navy rather than being drafted. The Navy stationed him first in Dearborn, Michigan where he graduated from the Ford engineering School. There he met the Thomas Henry Ford and was personally selected by Mr. Ford to represent the Navy to march in the 1942 Independence Day Parade. From the Marshall Islands to Okinawa, he served in the Pacific Theater on the U. S. S. Langley Air Craft Carrier and survived 11 typhoons and 11 invasions. He was awarded 11 silver and bronze stars, medals and ribbons for the American Campaign, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, the Navy Unit Commendation, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon. After the war, he finished his education, graduating from the University of Georgia Farm School. William was a member of the Hephzibah Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee. He retired from AAFES, Fort Gordon, Georgia and delivered the Augusta Chronicle for 40 years. He was a former co-owner of A & N Trucking Company. He took great pleasure in gardening, and cattle and tree farming. He loved History and was a "die-hard" Lincoln County Red Devil Football Fan. Survivors include daughters, Wanda (Alex) Cawthon of Thomson, Georgia; Gloria (Nelson) Brooks of Lincolnton, Georgia; Ellen (Greg) Richard of Franklin, Tennessee: and son, William Peyton Norman, Jr. (Bill) of Lincolnton, Georgia. Grandchildren: Julie (Rod) Finnegan of Colbert, Georgia; Kelly (Jeremy) Field of Athens, Georgia; Melanie (Johnny) Mathews of Wintervi1lc Georgia; Amie (Dale) Stinson of Franklin, Tennessee; Jathan (Stacey) Richard of' Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Joshua Richard and James Richard of Franklin, Tennessee; William Peyton Norman III (Will) and Dillard Matthew Norman of Thomson, Georgia, Great-Grandchildren: Christopher Finnegan and Olivia Finnegan of Colbert, Georgia; Wilkes Field and David Field of Athens, Georgia; John Mathews, Sara Beth Mathews, Madison Mathews, Hunter Mathews: and Barbara Ann Mathews, all of Winterville, Georgia; Cade Stinson, Blake Stinson, Elliott Stinson, all of Franklin, Tennessee; Grace Richard and Jesse Dee Richard of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Also survived by a sister, Frances Norman Bryan of Lincolnton, Georgia, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by a grandson, Marvin Dillard Richard (Dee) and by a brother, Clarence Edward Norman, Sr. Family will receive friends at the farm home, fondly known as the "Big House", at 6170 Lincolnton Road. Lincolnton, Georgia. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at Beggs Funeral Home in Lincolnton, Georgia. Pallbearers will be Jathan Richard, Joshua Richard, James Richard, Will Norman, Dillard Norman, Glen Bryan, Peyton Norman, and A. C. McGill. In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to Hephzibah Baptist Church in care of the Treasurer, Monica Thurmond, 1254 Thurmond Poss Drive, Lincolnton, Georgia 30817. The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Robert Williams and staff; to Flint Matthews and staff of CSRA Home Health Care, and to Pearl McCord, Ruby Beard, LaRice McCord, and Perry Ann Beard for their excellent care of our father.