William Daniel “Bill” Jenkins, age 85, left this world on September 17, 2022 ‘his way’ after a long battle with cancer. He was born and spent most of his childhood in “Nuckollsville”, Ga. Instilled in him at a young age was a hard work ethic at whatever job he undertook from working in the fields, sawmill or making moonshine. After leaving home, he joined the U.S. Army in 1958. A short time later, he met the love of his life and together they traveled to many different places throughout the world during his military career and began raising their family.
After his military career was over, he worked for Wimpy Trucking & Bryant Trucking in New Port Richey, Florida before returning to Dahlonega in 1973. He worked for Chestatee Regional Hospital for over 20 years and then became the Building Inspector for Lumpkin County until his retirement in 2002.
Bill was well-known for his love of hunting and fishing. He made sure to pass down that love of the outdoors to not only his two girls but grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends as well. Deer Camp in Elberton, Ga. was one of both his and Barbara’s favorite places to be with family and friends. Lots of stories were told around those campfires. Some believable and some not so much. Many fond memories were made sitting in a treestand with his grandsons during deer season.
Billy was the son of the late David & Ruth Jenkins and was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ellis Jenkins; brothers, Buddy & Kenneth Jenkins; and sister’s Mary Westbrook and Joyce Sullens.
He is survived by his daughters and son-in law's, Teresa and Tony Grainger, Pam and Eddie Littlejohn; brother, Gene and Jerri Jenkins of Gainesville, FL; sister in law Emogene Grainger, Dahlonega, Ga; brother in law Fred Sullens, Dawsonville, GA; grandchildren Ashley & Alan Gutierrez, Stephanie & Blake Phillips, Brad & Becky Grainger; great grandchildren, Brody Tanner, Marcus Gutierrez, Tanner Phillips, Aubree Phillips, AJ Gutierrez, Ethan Gutierrez and Anna Grace Grainger; special nephew Lee Gaddis and special great niece Malia Gaddis. A number of other relatives also survive.
As per Bill’s wishes, he does not want to be mourned, so a Celebration of Life with Military Honors is scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 14 Martin Ford Road in Dahlonega, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Paul Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 92 Murrayville, Ga. 30564, Attn: Sherman Graham
To share a memory or a condolence with the family, visit Mr. Jenkins's online guestbook at andersonunderwood.com.
Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, 2068 Highway 19 North Dahlonega, GA 30533