William James 'Bill' Bainbridge

PERRY- William James "Bill" Bainbridge, 80, passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2013, after an extended illness. Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pavilion in Andersonville National Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia 31210. Mr. Bainbridge was born in Silverton, Pennsylvania, to the late Robert and Vera Houser Bainbridge. He proudly served our country in the U. S. Air Force, entering at age 17. He retired from the U.S.A.F. as an Electronic Technician after 23 years of service. Mr. Bainbridge continued working for the United States government in Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base, also as an Electronic Technician, retiring after 18 years. He was an avid baseball/softball player and sports fan, coached his son's baseball teams, was a basketball referee, and a baseball/softball umpire. He was on many travelling softball teams through the years and won many trophies and championships, including a world championship with the Georgia Peaches when he was 66 years old. Mr. Bainbridge continued to play softball until the age of 74. He loved to travel and visited many countries during his U. S. government career, a highlight being when he and his brother spent a month travelling Australia and New Zealand after his retirement from Civil Service. Later in life, Mr. Bainbridge and his wife moved to Florida for over 2 years so he could play softball, but returned to Perry in 2006 to be near their family. Very active all of his life, he fought two valiant battles with cancer, continuing to play softball after some major medical setbacks. He was preceded in death by five sisters, Bertha Aponick, Betty Davey, Mae Bainbridge, Thelma "Dinda" Dempsey, and Virginia "Chee Chee" Dennen; and three brothers, Robert "Bobby" Bainbridge, Richard "Lefty" Bainbridge, and John "Red" Bainbridge. Left to cherish the memories of Bill are his loving, devoted wife of 61 years, Sara Farrow Bainbridge; his daughter, Jenny Shiplett (Dave) of Kathleen; his son, Steve Bainbridge of Bonaire; his grandchildren, Lauren Bainbridge, Shawn Bainbridge, Matthew Bainbridge, and David Shiplett; four sisters, Janet Wetzel, Joyce Peck (Joe), Karen Purcell (Musky), and Donna McShaw, all of Pennsylvania; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to share a special story or leave condolences for the families in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com.

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William James 'Bill' Bainbridge

June 18, 1932 - February 23, 2013