Mr. William ‘Bill’ Newham, 70
Mr. William “Bill” Newham, 70, of Hazlehurst, passed away Sept. 13 at Jeff Davis Hospital.
Bill was born Oct. 27, 1954, in Jacksonville, Fla., to the late Raymond Newham and Geneva Hazlip Newham. After graduating high school, he proudly joined the United States Army, where he served for 20 years and retired as a drill sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division. His military career took him all over the world, and he remained a steadfast supporter of the military and his country throughout his life.
Following his military service, Bill became a truck driver, a career he held for 30 years. Sixteen of those years were spent team-driving with his beloved wife, often accompanied by their two dogs, Albert and Callie.
Bill was a hard-line patriot who loved his country deeply. He enjoyed gardening, riding his Slingshot, going to the gun range, and cheering on his grandchildren at their ball games. He also took pride in keeping things neat, especially when it came to washing and caring for his truck. A simple man at heart, Bill was known as a good dad, a loyal friend, and a man who lived life with purpose. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters Yvonne Crawford and Joyce Belch.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years Gayle Newham of Hazlehurst; sons Troy Newham of Los Angeles, Calif., Nathan Newham of Denton and William (Billy) Newham II of Hazlehurst; daughters Allison Selph (Heath) of Hilliard, Fla., and Tanya Batten (Paul) of Baxley; “adopted” daughter Ashley Beecher; grandchildren Dylon Selph (Hayley), Austin Selph, Cannon Newham, Gannon Ellis, William “Tye” Newham III, Trevor Selph and Oliver Batten; great-grandchildren Kolten Chalifoux and Emery Selph; aunt Claudine Adams; childhood best friend Duncan Brasiel; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sept. 18 from 6 to 8 Pp.m.
Services with military honors will be Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home with Charlie Kight and Paul Batten officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill’s sons and grandsons Paul Batten, Heath Selph, Curtis Hallman, Rex Anderson and Jason (Mexico).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jeff Davis County Veterans association, P.O. Box 263, Hazlehurst, GA 31539.
Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home is in charge.
