Obituary of William Pittman

Pittman, William Lanz (Bill) William Lanz (Bill) Pittman of Barnesville, Georgia, died August 24, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Gaie Williams Pittman, his son Randy Pittman (wife Daina) of Birmingham, Alabama, and his daughter Suzanne Forster (husband Garth) of Barnesville, Georgia. He also is survived by his grandchildren Allison Pittman Fuqua (husband Tyler) and Kelly Pittman, both of Birmingham, Brent Forster of Austin, Texas, and Savannah Forster of Barnesville. He was the brother of John Pittman of Birmingham and his late wife Marjorie, James Pittman and his wife Jacqueline of Atlanta, and the late Renah Claire Taylor and her late husband S. A. Taylor of Pensacola, Florida. He also had seven nieces and nephews. Bill was born September 8, 1921 in Birmingham, the son of the late William I. and Renah L. Pittman. He graduated in 1939 from Shades Cahaba High School and enrolled at Auburn University. He volunteered for military service at the outbreak of World War II, and served in the U. S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Pacific Theatre through the end of the war. Upon returning home, he and Gaie were married, and he graduated from Auburn in 1947. After graduation, they settled in Gadsden, Alabama, which was their home for over fifty years. Bill worked in industry, with a brief interlude back to the army during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the Republic Steel Corporation in 1982 after a career in the management of the Gadsden plant. While in Gadsden, he was an active high school football official, a member of Kiwanis, and a Gideon. His most important service in Gadsden was in the First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member. In 1999, they moved to Leesburg, Florida, and Bill was instrumental in the founding of the Southpoint Baptist Fellowship Church. Following seven years in Leesburg, Bill and Gaie moved to Barnesville, where once again Bill was active in the First Baptist Church. Bill loved to play golf and he loved Auburn football, but most of all he loved his family, loved serving the Lord through His church, and loved serving other people. The funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church of Barnesville at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, officiated by his son-in-law, Reverend Garth Forster. The family will receive friends at the church beginning one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, Bill would want memorial gifts made to the First Baptist Church of Barnesville, Georgia or the Big Oak Ranch, Springville, Alabama. Williams Funeral Home Of Barnesville has Charge of Arrangments Wednesday August 26, 2009, 2:00PM at First Baptist Church of Barnesville Click for Map and Directions The Family will receive friends at the church one hour prior till service