William Ronnie Lance, Jr

Mr. William Ronnie Lance, Jr., age 71, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
            

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel. The Reverend Levi Skipper, Ken Crenshaw and Bobby Whitworth will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 pm and 5 to 8 pm Friday, September 18, 2015 at the funeral home.
            

Ronnie was born September 14, 1944, in Asheville, North Carolina. He was the son of the late William R. (Bill) Lance, Sr., and Yvonne Davies Lance. He graduated from West Henderson High School and attended Asheville Biltmore College on both baseball and basketball scholarships. A successful entrepreneur, Ronnie owned and operated the Burger Chef restaurants in the Southeast and together with his wife Carol founded and operated the well known Beef Corral restaurants among other business ventures. Ronnie was an active supporter of state and local politics and the Beef Corrals provided a popular bipartisan venue for candidates to meet the voting public and have their views heard. Ronnie was appointed to the Georgia State Board of Corrections in 1983 and served as secretary, treasurer and vice chairman, eventually being appointed for a 2 year term as chairman in 1989. He continued to serve on the Board of Corrections through the mid-90’s and was very proud of the advancements made during his involvement. Ronnie left the Board of Corrections and worked for the Georgia Building Authority into the late 1990’s. He was instrumental in the founding of Lance Animal Hospital in 2006 with his wife Carol, son Bryan and daughter-in-law, Dr. Marie Lance. His love of animals was evident throughout his life. He had a special touch with all creatures, especially young dogs and horses. Ronnie was passionate about his family, his animals and his farms. He made many life-long friends from all walks of life and will be missed by all who knew him.
            

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Sandra Lance Lacey, Hubert G. (Jerry) Lance, Allie Steven Lance, and Curtis Merritt Lance.
            

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol R. Lance, sons, William Bryan Lance (Dr. Marie Lance) and Joseph C. (Chad)  Lance, Sr. (Ashley); grandson, Joseph C. Lance, Jr., (Angelita); granddaughter, Taylor Morgan Hewell (Ben) and granddaughter, Annelise Marie Lance and brother Charles Lance and adopted grandson, Alex Carnes.
            

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Gainesville Masonic Lodge F & AM #219 621 Lakeshore Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30501.                   
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200 or for those who desire online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.