William Leonard Green Sr.

William Leonard Green, Sr., age 90, passed away peacefully at Sprenger Health Care in Port Royal, SC on December 21, 2022. He lived a life full of faith and selflessness, serving his family, his community, his country, and most of all his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. William (known by “Bill” or “Billy” to all) was born in 1932 in Forest Park, Georgia, the fourth of seven children born to Elmo Dunn Green and Adelaide Hill Green. Growing up during the Great Depression, Bill and his siblings considered themselves fortunate. He was surrounded by a loving family. His father was a hard worker and good provider, and his mother provided the love and nurture guided by a firm faith in God. Being in a family of seven made for quite a bit of antics between them, in which Bill was often the main instigator!

Bill graduated from Forest Park High School in 1949. Bill was known to have a keen analytical mind and exceled in Algebra and Math. Bill worked briefly thereafter for his father’s air compressor business, E.D. Green and Sons, before joining the U.S. Army in March of 1953. After his basic training stateside, Bill served in Germany with the post WWII U.S. occupational forces. Bill received an honorable discharge and returned home to Georgia in December of 1954.

In 1955 Bill began dating the love of his life, Jacqueline Richardson. “Jackie” was a close friend of Bill’s younger sister Gyp, and was quite impressed with the handsome young soldier. They were married in 1957 at Morrow Methodist Church. Bill and Jackie set up their new home in a small ranch house in Forest Park, moving to a slightly larger home where their first two children were born. William Leonard Green, Jr. was born in 1959, and Natalie Dawn Green came along in 1961.

During this time Bill was continuing to work in his father’s family business. He also was advancing his personal interests. Bill graduated from Georgia State with a business degree in 1960. He served as Sunday school superintendent at Morrow Methodist Church for 5 years. He was active in the local Jaycees and Civitan clubs. Bill served with The Gideons International Bible Society. And Bill ran for the United States Congress in 1964 as a Republican before there was a vital Republican presence in the south. He was a staunch supporter of the Georgia GOP and was a big friend and ally to a young Newt Gingrich as he came to prominence in Georgia and national politics.

In 1968, Bill and Jackie welcomed their third child, Alison Irene Green, to their growing family. Along with his growing family, Bill was also growing his business aspirations. In 1969 Bill left his father’s business to establish his own air compressor business, Pioneer Fluid Power Company. The business grew quickly under Bill’s direction. Besides their main offices in South Atlanta, Bill opened satellite service centers in Albany and Dalton, GA. PFP had numerous accounts throughout greater Atlanta and beyond, including Coca-Cola, Scientific Atlanta, Frito-Lay and many others.

In 1971 Bill and Jackie built their dream home on Carriage Drive in Morrow, GA for their young family. This is where many wonderful family memories were made. The children remember one Christmas when they talked him in to putting a nearly 20 foot tall Christmas tree in their two story main family room. It was so tall the star had to be put on from the balcony. Bill was left with the job of disposing of the tree after Christmas … which he accomplished by cranking up a chain saw in the living room!

Bill’s political interest led him to run for Clayton County Commissioner in 1984, again as a Republican. Despite a vigorous campaign, he was narrowly defeated by an established incumbent.

Bill and Jackie sold their home in 1986 and downsized to a smaller home in Fayetteville, GA. With his family raised, Bill retired from Pioneer Fluid Power in 1992. Bill worked selling real estate for many years thereafter and spent a lot of time enjoying his children and grandchildren. Bill and Jackie moved to Beaufort, SC in 2022 to be closer to their daughters Dawn and Alison.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Adelaide Green. He is also preceded in death by his brothers Robert Green and Joseph Green, and sisters Jean Green Bieder, Genevieve “Gyp” Green Haynie, and Carolyn Green Hill. He is survived by his brother Fred Green. Several in-laws have both preceded and survive him.

Bill is also survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jacqueline Richardson Green. His children, Leonard Green, Dawn Green Brooker and Alison Green Whitworth. Grandchildren are Christie Green Foster, Brittany Green Johns, Samuel Dallaire and Sarah Dallaire Owen. Several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced.