William Gentry Brisbay
October 22, 1935 ~ January 11, 2021
Born in:
Lexington, Kentucky
Resided in:
Snellville, Georgia
William G. Brisbay, 85, died January 11, 2021 at his home in Snellville, GA. He was born October 22, 1935, in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of Sylvester E. And Stella O’Banion Brisbay.
Bill graduated from high school, he attended the University of Kentucky college for three years, and then joined the United States Air Force. Bill served in the Vietnam War (receiving the Bronze Star), and he continued his military career until 1977. During his early military career, Bill met Virginia Sosa and were quickly married in California in 1963. They celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage last August. Bill and Virginia moved to air force base to air force base including places such as Ankara, Turkey; Montgomery, Alabama; Minot, North Dakota; Crete, Greece; and Panama City Beach, Florida. After deciding to retire from the military, Bill joined the CDC in Phoenix, Arizona and settled with his family. In 1985, Bill transferred to the Atlanta CDC and settled in Snellville, GA.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Jack, Gene, Helen, Robert, James, Jerry, and Patty and one of his favorite nieces Julie Duncan. Surviving in addition to his wife, Virginia Sosa, are his son Mark Edward Brisbay, and his wife, Rebecca, of Bishop, Georgia; and daughter, Felicia B. Gudger and her husband Patrick, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; his son William M. Brisbay, Newnan, Georgia, and daughter Beth Brisbay, Pontiac, Michigan, 8 grandchildren, Ashley Coffinger of Blue Ridge, Georgia, Kayla Harris of Newnan, Georgia, Dylan Burhans of Michigan, Samantha Marie Diaz-Zelaya and her husband Miguel of Roswell, Georgia, Nicolas John Brisbay of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Samuel William Gudger of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Meggan Elizabeth Brisbay of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Raelyn G. Gudger of Lawrenceville, Georgia, his favorite nieces Rosemary Tutt, Bobby Sue Barnett of Lexington, Kentucky.
We will greatly miss our favorite deep-sea fisherman and self-taught furniture sculptor. He was a deeply devoted husband and father that never quit working hard to provide an amazing, adventurous life for his family. He strenuously disliked cats, squirrels, and Democrats. He loved sweets and we are still finding his hiding spots in his house. There was never a better UK Wildcat or Georgia Bulldog fan that could string cuss words at the TV like Bill. Lastly, Bill was a devoted Catholic that loved his family, faith and loved singing with Irish priests. We hope that heaven has a comfy chair, a shot of Irish whiskey, his favorite dogs, and plenty of fish to catch.
A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 15 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church 319 Grayson Hwy. Lawrenceville, GA. Internment will be at St. Lawrence Columbarium Catholic Church. Those that would like to attend virtually can go to https://saintlaw.org/livestream/ to live stream the mass. For those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Eagle’s Nest Veterans Home. Cremation arrangements by Wages and Sons, Lawrenceville, GA.
Services
Funeral Mass: January 15, 2021 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
St Lawrence Catholic Church
319 Grayson Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-963-8992
www.saintlaw.org/
We will miss you, Wakka-Wakka. Happy fishing!
Bill used Waka-Waka in our convrrsations with multiple meanings, from Hi, What’s new, to No way, or I didn’t get a word of what you said, and wonderful. that’s great, Goodbye. It was a very clever way of letting me decide what I wanted it to mean and most certainly. He knew he would me laugh very hard.
Waka-Waka Bill until we meet again
Mano
You will be greatly missed and will leave a place in my heart. You were always the fun uncle knew we would have a good time when you were here. Hope Mom was there to meet you. Love to all of the Brisbay family prayers covering you.
Love to you and the family. Betty Torres
Betty Torres
We will miss you Uncle Bill!! We love you!!!
Our sprayer are with all of you! Rest In Peace.
Our prayers are with lovely family.
Tracy Greene-Montfort, a former colleague during Bill’s tenure at CDC. He was a pure
joy to work with! I retired from CDC in 2017…..I”ve never forgotten sweet Bill! RIP dear
friend! Heaven is a more fun place with you in it!