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Obituary For CSM William J. H. Peters (Ret.)
Public Visitation: Wednesday, July 28,2021 4:00PM - 6:00PM Bernard's Family Funeral Care "The Madison Chapel" 1086 Ward Road Madison, GA 30650
Celebration of Life Service: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:00 Noon Smyrna Baptist Church 3200 Buckhead Road Madison, GA 30650 Livestream: https://vimeo.com/578690196
William John Henry Peters (Jr.), born January 25, 1936, the first born child of the Late William and Lula Bell Peters of Madison, (Morgan County) Georgia. On Wednesday, July 21, 2021 God welcomed William to his Heavenly mansion and he accepted the call. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Lula Bell Peters; wife, Elisabeth Elli Peters; and siblings: Leroy, James, Lucy (Robertson), Marvin, Charles, and Maggie (Jeffries). At an early age William joined the Smyrna Baptist Church and attended Smyrna and Burney Street Schools in Madison. Growing up he learned farming and prior to graduating from high school he followed in his father’s footsteps working for Pattillo Construction Company (Stone Mountain, GA) for a short period of time. As a young boy William’s overwhelming desire was to become a Soldier. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Army in March, 1955 and quickly became one of the most renowned Command Sergeant Majors (CSM) of his time. In his rise from Private to Command Sergeant Major he served in a variety of NCO leadership positions and assignments. Assignments included service as the first Division CSM of Color for the 8 th Infantry Division in Germany (1980 -1983) and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Other assignments included Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Germany (4 Tours),Vietnam (2 Tours) and Fort Monroe, Virginia. On April 27, 1956, William met the love of his life and was united in holy matrimony to Elisabeth Elli Knoll. This union was blessed with two sons: Walter and Robert Peters. In November 1987 William culminated a distinguished military career of thirty-three years of dedicated service to a grateful Nation which took him across the world from North America to South America all in one day many times. He led by example which inspired his four brothers, nephew and niece to enlist and serve in the United States Army during wartime and peacetime. William’s military awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (w/3 OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Service Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/numerical 4, Combat Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and numerous other awards and accolades. Following retirement from the military William continued working as a civilian employee for twelve plus years in Civil Service. After his second retirement in 2002 he cared for his ailing wife, Elisabeth until her death in December, 2009. William was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hampton, Virginia until his health began to fail. He enjoyed attending weekly bible study class. He played an integral role in the Sunday Supper Outreach Ministry whereby he attended every Sunday to greet and welcome the guests. His hobbies were reading, jogging, listening to music (Temptations), cutting his lawn, do-it- yourself home projects, and helping his neighbors and friends in his community. Lastly, he enjoyed driving his van home to Georgia to see his family. April 2020, when William’s health began to fail he journeyed back to Georgia to be close to family. He resided in Conyers, Georgia until his passing. He leaves to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy, sons: Walter P. Peters (Heather) (KS) and Robert G. Peters (FL); four grand-children: Summer Peters (KS), Elizabeth Dunn (NY), Nicholas Peters-Rhoads (MO) and Ridge Melo (KS); two great-grandsons: Preston and Julian Peters of (KS); sisters: Thelma Kelly, Gloria Peters and Patricia Cabil; brothers: (Ret) SGM Johnny Peters (Evelyn), Curtis Peters (Karen), (Ret) CSM Michael Peters (Sharon), Leon Peters (Pat) and (Ret) SFC Ricky Peters (Toni); extended families: Rev. Alfred Murray (Gerri) and Family, Mary A. Peters and Family, Broderick Fields and Family, Henry, Boswell, Gordon, Johnson, Pettigrew, Cook-Cox, Grant, Majied (PA), Peters(OH), Hampton and Weith Families; St Paul Court (VA) neighbors and friends: Hyatt, Renold, Stouch, Plummers, Immaculate Conception Congregation (VA), brother-in-laws (Germany), nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.
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Sending prayers and peace to the family.
Dear Grandpa; I miss you already. I found myself trying to call you the other day. It came to me pretty quickly after I started to dial. Im not sure I am ready to come to terms with this fully. Being as I am unable to be there, this seemed to be the next best option. I have been and will forever be Blessed that you were mine. God chose you to be my Grandfather.I want to Thank You for being a man of character, honor, value, morals, a role model, and a man of God. You are such an Amazing person and you loved us so much. You need to know that you mean the world to me. I know that I may not get to see you in the physical, but have found comfort that I will get to speak to you in the spiritual everyday. I will forever cherish the times spent and all the conversations we have had. I look forward to the ones yet to come. Thank you for always loving me and my children and checking on us. That meant so much. I know you are with Grandma smiling down on us. That also gives me peace. A memory that I will never forget is when we were at dads and you were doing your morning exercise routine, preparing for your run. 3 mile run and I said," Grandpa I want to go with you." Now mind you, I knew I was in way over my head but, boy oh boy did I not know the half of it. You meant business. You made it up the street way ahead of me and you even jogged in place while I caught up..Even though, I felt as if my lungs were going to collapse, my chest was on fire and with each breath I took, I was closer to passing out. You encouraged me to keep going. I made it, you got there first, but I made it. I will hold you forever in my heart, and will admire you from a far. Anytime, things get tough, I will remember your courage, your strength, your determination, and your will to thrive. I will see things through your eyes, in the face of adversity, through trials and tribulations, I will be fearless and walk in faith knowing the foundation you laid. I love you more than you will ever know. You are and will forever be, the Greatest. Love your grandaughter; S. Peters
Sending prayers for comfort and strength to the family.
Sending love and prayers to the family.May God gives you the strength to endure. Rb and Eddie Mae Lewis
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