William Carl Heerman
December 12, 1956 ~ March 15, 2013
Resided in:
Suwanee, GA
William Carl Heerman, 56, of Suwanee, Georgia, passed away on March 15, 2013 after a brave battle against brain cancer. Raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Bill was confirmed in the Lutheran church. In high school, Bill high jumped and played volleyball and basketball. He earned a BA from Valparaiso University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Florida. Bill first worked as a copywriter and creative director in advertising agencies, then in Corporate Communications at Southern Company in Atlanta. Bill was married for 32 years to Lisa Hoffmann Heerman, his college sweetheart. Bill and Lisa proudly raised two sons, Luke William Heerman of Suwanee, Georgia, and Alexander Karl Heerman of Los Angeles, California.
Bill was skilled at creative writing, photography, and pottery. He also enjoyed gardening, golf, piano, the Chicago Cubs, and Rotisserie baseball. Bill loved the U.S. National Parks, visiting several every year. A keen observer with an analytical mind, Bill brought an unconventional perspective to the world surrounding him.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Niesje Bruns Heerman. He is survived by his beloved wife Lisa, his sons Luke and Alex, his father William Robert Heerman and step-mother Sandy, his siblings Thomas Heerman, Amanda Sharp, and Max Heerman, and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 11:00 am at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 1001 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville, GA. The family will receive friends at 10:30 am at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke www.cancer.duke.edu/btc; The Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., #300, Duluth, GA www.thehudgens.org; or The National Parks Conservation Association www.npca.org. Arrangements by Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 770-277-4550. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com.
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I wish to express heartfelt condolences from Penny and myself as well as the entire Johnson family. May God’s peace be with you all in the following days in a tangebile way. David
While we met in grad school by way of helping Bill fix a flat tire on his motorcycle, Bill helped me in life far more than I ever helped him. Always ready with a unique insight, a funny turn of word or a very creative concept, Bill was unlike any other friend. So many of his little “sayings” are a part of our family’s conversations to this day, and each time we speak them my thoughts turn to what a special man he was. The world needs way more people like Bill, as this would help us reach an understanding based on compassion and care for others… in a way that transcends differences and emphasizes commonalities. Bill was a very special man and left the world a better place. Please take comfort in remembering that, Lisa, Luke and Alex… and the rest of the Heerman family. We love you, and we love Bill.
Max, Kari, Lou, and the entire Heerman family — we are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts. Love, Debbie & Don Heeman
You don’t find many that really enjoy life like Bill.
Twenty plus years ago I remembering being sad when he moved from Florida to Georgia. We spent many hours together playing baseball and golf. He liked to do things. You liked to play with him. He had a quick and fun loving mind.
And, I found out later, he liked to see things. I had no idea he was such the photographer and traveler.
I only visited him, Lisa and the boys once in Georgia. I have to say I thought about him every time I passed through Atlanta and wish I stopped in again. There never seemed to be enough time…
I truly enjoyed his yearly roundup letter. Christmas time was a little warmer when his letter arrived. Mostly they tracked his growing boys and proudly recounted his lovely wife’s career.
The last time we spoke he had a calmness about him. He talked of truly savoring every moment. I wished we had talked more over those those years.
God bless you Bill.
Lisa, you and the boys have my deepest condolences.
To the Heerman Family:
Our deepest condolences, heartfelt prayers, and sincere thoughts go out to you all in this difficult time. We were fortunate to be able to spend some quality time with Bill at Max & Kari’s wedding several years ago and recall with fondness his quick wit, adventurous spirit and friendly demeanor. He will be missed.
We’re sorry we won’t be able to be there Wednesday to celebrate Bill’s life, but we will be there in thought.
Love,
Matt, Libby & Zach Stennes
Lisa, Luke and Alex,
I was saddened to learn of Bill’s passing, even though I was well aware of his on-going battle. The finality of it all was still jarring. I couldn’t get Bill off my mind the entire weekend. He was a good friend and colleague. All of us at Southern Company will miss him.
It was a remarkable journey to be one of Bill’s friends. He could take you places – inside your own mind – you’ve never been before. I will miss our thought-provoking conversations about the sciences, raising boys and living a full and purposeful life, outdoors!
I have two Heerman pieces of pottery that I will always covet and a book he sent to Leslie after visiting us in Mississippi. She had made reference to the fact that “unlike Atlanta, we can see the stars in Mississippi,” but she didn’t know what she was seeing. So, he sent her a book about the constellations. Wow!
Lisa, we’ll miss Bill but he won’t be forgotten.
With Sympathy,
Todd & Leslie Terrell
Bill was such an amazing intellect and original thinker. I always found his nature photography so inspiring and it still takes my breath away to this day. He was a model son, brother, husband and father, and the world was a richer place with him in it.
With deepest sympathy,
Dan McConnell
Max, Kari and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with all of you.
Our prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Bill will be so missed. He left quite a mark on this world in his short time here on Earth. I loved his wit and intellect and keen eye for the spectacular that he shared in his photography. I have cherished his calendars. Thanks for sharing your experiences Bill!
As cousins I wish we could have known you better, but your life filled our hearts even from afar. They finally made those street signs out in the country that you wanted when you visited Grandpa’s farm.
You definitely touched our hearts at our Dad’s Celebration of Life. Thank You!! Wild Turkey Cheers You’ll know what I mean.
I’m sure you’re up in Heaven with your Mom enjoying a good game of Bridge. One of my fond memories of the summer in Wisconsin.
Bill, Thanks for your inspiration, love, wit and appreciation of Natures Wonders.
We’ll all miss you! God Speed!
May your family find some comfort in the footprint you left on all of our hearts.
in loving memory, Carol Jean
Lisa, Luke and Alex,
We will remember Bill as the thoughtful, inquisitive, philosophical person he was, but also as a guy who was warm, accessible and completely at ease with being himself in every circumstance.
I’ll miss our long conversations about music, art, philosophy, and technology, and Bill’s fascinating insights on how those things converge. He was a special person.
Our thoughts are with you; we wish you peace as you say goodbye to a wonderful husband and father.
With Sympathy,
The Pastras Family
Bill was a friend, colleague and a talented great person. He will be missed.
Bill, it has been 4 years. I still think of you all the time and miss you. I am so glad we had the chance to take a trip to Utah and explore the White Rim, Canyonlands, the Needles and Arches. You are with me every day and I try to do what I do in my life to make you proud and reach goals that you would have done if you had more time in life.
Love always
Hey Uncle Bill. I still think about you a lot. I wish you could have seen me become a photographer like you were.
We all miss you.
Hi Bill. I recently put your picture on my computer background. I caught your essence in a pic when we were up on the north shore of Superior. Of course you had a camera around your neck, and that wicked smile. I enjoy looking at you, and it makes me wish I had your guidance, sometimes. Eehee! We used to say. Eehee!