William Michael Gahring

Mr. William "Bill" Michael Gahring, 62, of Leesburg, departed this life on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at his home while surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016 at First United Methodist Church of Albany. Rev. Scott Stanfill and Mr. Bruce Melton will officiate with interment to follow in the Vienna City Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Bruce Melton, Melvin Edwards, Kalin Peavey, Jason Ward, Jason Goodner and Dakota Gregory. Survivors include his devoted wife, Melanie Gahring; children, Erin Burks of Perry, Amber Skates (Ronnie) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Lindsey Daltroff (Jake) of Virginia Beach, VA, Dakota Gregory (Britney) of Los Alamos, NM, and Hannah Messick of Leesburg; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Peyton, and Riley Burks, Jordan and Hunter Skates, Genevieve and Maxwell Gregory and Jana Daltroff; brother, Dale Gahring (Barb) of Williamsburg, Iowa; sister, Sue Ahrens (Steve) of Conroy, Iowa, father and mother-in-law, Hub and Betty Sue of Orange Park, FL; brother-in-law, Bert Gregory of Vienna; sisters-in-law, Myra Gahring of Williamsburg, Iowa and Barb Gahring of Georgetown, Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Ruth Gahring; brothers, Don and Ron Gahring and a sister, Linda Gahring. Bill moved to Southwest, GA. in 1985 from his native Williamsburg, Iowa. He worked with Jack Hufstetler with Terrell Contracting. Next, Bill worked for Reeves Construction in Americus for five years. For the last 27 years he worked for Bruce Melton and Melvin Edwards at Oxford Construction Company. In 1991 he was appointed project superintendent and in 1996 he was appointed the position as division manager of The D.O.T. projects in which he held for 20 years. Bill was a faithful and devoted company man, who always strived for Oxford to be known for their professional work ethic. Bill was a member along with his wife of First United Methodist Church of Albany. He was actively involved in Worship, The Bridge Sunday School Class and Sunday Evening With Our Neighbors. Bill held several leadership positions of service with the church along with being a facilitator of small groups. For many years Bill was a devoted member of Leesburg First United Methodist Church. He was proud to be a part of The Leesburg United Methodist men and the early morning men’s Bible study group in Leesburg. He also sang in the Leesburg United Methodist Church choir for numerous years. Bill greatly enjoyed his fellowship on Tuesday mornings with Jim Fill, Joel Vandenbergh and Bill Malone. He was actively involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry and the Heart of Georgia Walk to Emmaus. Bill was a devoted family man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much. He always enjoyed family gatherings and just being together. He was very proud to have been a part of the swearing in of his wife, Melanie Gahring as elect Probate Judge of Lee County as this was one of his final wishes to witness before his passing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kairos Prison Ministry, 105 William D. Evans Court, Kathleen, GA 31047 or First United Methodist Church of Albany Scott Stanfill Scholarship Fund, 307 Flint Ave. Albany, GA. 31701. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home, 375 US Highway 19 S. Leesburg, GA. 31763. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Gahring family at www.josephwjonesfuneralhome.com. Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home of Leesburg was given the honor to serve the Gahring family.