William Berry Broach, Jr.:Obituary

Obituaries

William Berry Broach, Jr. who was best known to his family and friends as “Papa Berry” departed this life on the 2nd day of September, 2014.A native of Rome, Georgia, Berry was born on January 10, 1937, the only child of the late William Berry Broach and Mary Louise Culpepper Broach. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Hunt Dillard Broach.

Berry attended the Darlington School in Rome, where he was a member of the tennis team. He then attended Georgia Tech, where he became a lifelong Yellow Jacket and was graduated from Georgia Southern. After serving in the United States Army, Berry commenced a varied professional career centered on construction and property. He served as construction foreman for commercial projects, designed house plans, and later transitioned into real estate. He was a licensed real estate broker, taught broker and real estate professional development courses and owned and operated his own real estate firm, with his wife Kathryn. They would later join Prudential Georgia Realty and worked together as “The Broach Team.” He completed his professional career working as a title abstractor with Doss & Associates.

Berry was an active member of First Baptist Church McCaysville, Georgia, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Gideons. The Lions Club International was a vital part of Berry’s life. Lion Berry was a founding member of the Blue Ridge Club and was serving as President at the time of his death. Formerly, he was an active member of the Ellijay Lion Club, serving as a past president of that club. He also served countless hours in the kitchen during the Apple Festival, fund raising for the white cane project and working to establish new clubs throughout the state. Lion Berry was elected as District Governor for Georgia Lion District 18-A. He served as a delegate to two International Conventions. He also was a member of the foundation for the Lion’s Camp for the Blind. He was elected to the Lions Hall of Fame, District 18 A.

Berry is survived by his son, Thomas Broach; daughters Lynn (Harry) Doss, Gail (Bruce) Dockery; Karla Smedley, Julie (Vernon) Weeks. Grandchildren Thomas and Taleigh Broach; Harry (Pam) Doss, Max, Belle, Philip & Evelyn Doss; Jonathan and Michael Dockery; Lindsey & Rachel Smedley, Ralph (Tonya) Weeks, Melissa Weeks, Jessica (Daniel) Lunsford, Drew (Morgan) Thomas, Victoria & Jackson Weeks; great grandchildren, Madison, Harris & Hudson Doss, Kathryn Dockery, Shannon & Kalyn Brooks, Mahlon & Stella Kate Lunsford; sister & brother in law – Anna Hunt Wood & Max Hunt.

A service of remembrance will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Akins Funeral Home with the Rev. Matthew McDaniel and Rev. Harry Gilbert officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt Carmel Cemetery, with military honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Thomas Broach, Harry Doss, Max Doss, Philip Doss, Jonathan Dockery, Michael Dockery, Drew Thomas, Jackson Weeks, Daniel Lunsford, & Caleb Morang. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmy & Justin Wood, Chuck & Brian Thomas, Rusty & Grant Maddox, Kyle & Hunter Holden; members of District 18-A Lions Club.

Those desiring to make memorial contributions are encouraged to designate the same to the Georgia Lions Camp 5626 Laura Walker Road Waycross, Georgia 31503 or to Gideon’s International at P.O. Box 1375 Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

The family will recieve friends at the Funeral Home on Saturday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

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