William Russel Bridges, Jr, Tribute
William Russell Bridges, Jr, a native of Atlanta, died peacefully at home Sunday morning. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
“Billy” was married to Kathryn Tomlinson (“KT”) Bridges for 64 years and was the son of the late Kathleen Patrick and William Russell Bridges. He attended Boys High, Marist School and graduated from Grady High School. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”), where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and Georgia State University, where he graduated with a Marketing Degree in 1952.
In 1949, while still in school, Billy began his career at Capital Automobile Company where he became President in 1978. During his career he was honored with Cadillac’s top honor, “Master Dealer”, for 20 consecutive years, placing him in the Cadillac Master Dealer Hall of Fame in 1999. Additionally, he served on the Cadillac National Dealer Council and was a 2000 finalist for Time Magazine’s “Quality Dealer of the Year”.
Billy was a dedicated member of Northside United Methodist Church for over 60 years and a member of many additional organizations including The Brookwood Rotary Club, The Piedmont Driving Club, Peachtree Golf Club, Capital City Club, and Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he and KT had a summer home.
Billy’s hobby and life-long passion was the game of golf, which he enjoyed with his family and many friends. He was known for his extraordinary putter collection and “Moon”, as his old friends called him, was also known for his ever present, endearing and contagious smile.
Billy was predeceased by his wife “KT”, his parents, and his sister Mary Lynn Bridges Waits. He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Kathryn Bridges Miller (Ward), William Russell Bridges, III (Lisa), Elwyn Tomlinson Bridges (Linda), Walter Patrick Bridges (Jennifer) and Mary Kate Bridges Hewes (Joe).
He is also survived by twelve wonderful grandchildren: Kathryn Rankin Miller Langley (Travis), Kenneth Ward Miller, III (Shawna), William Bridges Miller, Pierson Bridges Thornton (John), William Satterthwaite Bridges, Andrew Russell Bridges, Joseph Tomlinson Bridges, Elwyn Tomlinson Bridges, Jr., Hillary Anne Bridges, Walter Patrick Bridges, Jr., Kathryn Palmour Hewes and Joseph Poindexter Hewes, Jr. as well as three great grandchildren: Lillian Hartsell Langley; Eden Kathryn Langley; John Persons Thornton, III.
Whether you were related to him by birth, work or friendship, Billy considered you family. His faith and family were what he treasured most. We are deeply thankful for the many wonderful caregivers who took such loving care of Billy, including Kay, the Lenbrook Clinic, Menders Inc. and Homestead Hospice.
After a private burial at Westview Cemetery, there will be a service of celebration honoring the life of Billy at 11:00AM on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Northside United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Northside United Methodist Church at 2799 Northside Dr., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305; the Good Samaritan Health Center Atlanta at 1015 Hollowell Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30318; or a charity of your choice.
