Cover photo for William Allen Bush's Obituary
William Allen Bush Profile Photo

William Allen Bush

d. October 17, 2016

William Allen Bush

Bill Bush

Augusta, GA – William Allen Bush born July 7, 1928 in Winchester, Kentucky to Jonas Simpson and Nellie Irene Brooks Bush. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Velma Christine Peach Bush, and a sister Mary Lou Chipps.

Mr. Bush was baptized and a member Paris First Christian Church. He attended Sunday School at Paris and would run to the Episcopal Church down the street and sing in the Children’s Choir. He received a penny to sing in the choir and a penny if he came to choir practice.

His father was manager of J.J. Newberry Stores and was moved to several states in which it allowed him to attend schools in Alabama, Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina.

His family moved from Paris Kentucky to Winchester. He joined Winchester First Christian Church.

Attended school in Winchester and graduated 6 months early from Winchester High School. Mr. Bush played for the Winchester Shawees Football team and made four touch downs in one game, played quarterback one year and two years Captain of the football team. By December of his senior year he had enough credits to graduate.

He joined the Army Air Force and served one year. Army Air Force changed to United States Air Force and he served two years. Mr. Bush also served six years in the Army National Guard. Introduction in the Army took place in Camp Atterberry, Indiana served K.P. for several weeks alongside Germany and Italian POW’s

He was a member of First Christian Church on Greene Street for 60 plus years. He served as Interim Pastor for several years. Mr. Bush was a generous contributor to his church. A former deacon, Sunday School teacher and Chairman of the Church Board officers. He was ordained as a minister in “Disciple of Christ” First Christian Church of Georgia and licensed to preach in 1970-1972. Mr. Bush taught Bible Study on Wednesday night for several years. He was an Elder in the church and was presented a plaque for Elder Emeritus in 2014 in appreciation for his leadership, faithfulness, and dedicated service for many years. Mr. Bush was frequently was asked to speak at many churches throughout the CSRA Community. He was asked to speak at several Naturalization Ceremonies in Federal Court on being a Good Citizen of the United States.

Mr. Bush was a guest speaker in the First Masonic Sunday at Salem United Methodist Church and on Sunday, October 5, 2014 the service was dedicated in his honor for distinguished and unselfish service given to the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Georgia while serving with outstanding leadership, vision and ability.

He commissioned the title of Kentucky Colonel for distinguished Civic Services by Paul E. Patton Governor of Kentucky April 1, 2003.

Mr. Bush became a Master Mason in 1964, Fleming Lodge No. 718, F & A.M. Worshipful Master in 1970. He was secretary for three years and served as Treasurer for one-half of the year. He was holder of Board of Custodians Blue Card for Lodge instruction. Mr. Bush was past Vice Chairman of 10th Masonic District Trail Commission of Georgia, became a 32nd degree Master of the Royal Secret and Sottish Rite Bodies of Augusta, Georgia. He was elected to receive the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor 32nd Degree in 1971 and was coroneted 33rd degree, Inspector General Honorary in 1983. Mr. Bush served as General Secretary for Scottish Rite Bodies of Augusta, GA from January 1981 to June 2002. He received an award for recognition for 50 faithful years in Fleming Lodge No. 718 and Scottish Rite Bodies.

Mr. Bush was a member and past patron of Alice Warren Chapter No. 483 Order of the Eastern Star, past District Deputy for District 26 and received a certificate for recognition of 50 years in Alice Warren Chapter No. 483. He was a past Advisor of Augusta Chapter of the Order of Demolay. He was the recipient of the Demolay Cross of Honor and past advisor to Alice Warren Assembly No. 38, Rainbow for Girls and a recipient of the Rainbow Cross of Color.

Mr. Bush was a past member of Adoniram Council No. I Royal and select Masters Member of Augusta Chapter No. I. He was a member of Royal Arch Masons and past member of Georgia Commandery No. I Knight Templar. Mr. Bush was a past member of Alee Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., Savannah, Georgia and Augusta Shrine Club. He was a past member of Red Cross of Constantine, a member of Clarence H. Cohen Chapter No. 162, National Sojourners and American Legion Post No. 62.

Mr. Bush played and enjoyed golf. He was a past member of Green Meadows, Gordon Lake and Forrest Hills Golf Courses. He played in the Military Police Association in 1965 and beat Arnold Palmer by one point. September 2, 1963 at Green Meadows and he made a hole-in-one. Mr. Bush managed the Southgate Little League Baseball Team for several years and won the Championship one year.

Mr. Bush received electronics training at Tampa Radio and Television Laboratories in Tampa Florida, some college work through the University of Utah and Augusta College. He met and married Velma Christine Peach in Tampa, FL. They came to Augusta in 1951 as an Electronics Instructor in the Southeastern Signal School at Fort Gordon, GA. Mr. Bush retired in 1979 as Chief of the Avionics-Satellite Communications Department Southeastern Signal School at Fort Gordon, GA.

Survivors include wife Lamega “Mickey” S. Bush of 12 years, two sons, William A. Bush, Jr. (Jeanne) of Pensacola, FL and Richard E. Bush of Augusta, GA; two granddaughters, Kristina Marie Sooy (David) of Fayetteville, GA and Angela Michelle Turner (Nathan) of Smyrna, GA; one great granddaughter McKenzie Marie Sooy; two step-grandsons, Brian Gardner (Lisa) of Broadlands, VA and Sean Gardner (Patty) of Burke, VA; three step-granddaughters, Molly A., Abby and Clair Gardner and one step grandson, Finne and brothers-in-law, Robert P. Chipps of Summerville, SC.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Mr. Ronnie Lanham and Rev. Keith Weekley officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be H.B. Johnson, Ronny Lanham, Larry Davis, Johnny Weaver, Roy Stampley, Greg O’Blak, David Sooy and Nathan Turner. Honorary Pallbearers will be First Christian Church Members, Fleming Lodge #718, Alice Warren Chapter #483 and Scottish Rite Bodies in Augusta.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Augusta, 629 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901.

The family will receive friends on hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
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