William Harrison Downs

Hinesville William Harrison Downs, 88, died Monday morning, March 24, 2014, at Hospice Savannah. The last of six children born to Alonzo (Lonnie) A. and Ethel W. Downs in Allenhurst, GA, he served 26 years in the US Army during WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War, before retiring back to Hinesville in 1969.  Mr. Downs was the first Building Official for the City of Hinesville, then the first Director of Inspections, serving the city for over 30 years.  He was a member and past president of the Building Officials Association of Georgia, and a lifetime member of the International Electrical Code Association and Georgia Plumbers Association, working tirelessly to make our buildings and homes as safe as possible.  He was the founder and president of the Hinesville Sports Officials Association, serving the local sports community at all levels for 31 years.  Mr. Downs was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Hinesville and a member of the A.G. Overman Men’s Bible Class.   He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol Downs of Hinesville; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kimberly Downs of Virginia Beach, VA; daughter, Debra Hallows of Hinesville; three grandchildren, Chris Downs of Marlboro, MA, Kelly Campbell of Richmond, VA, and Lori Hallows of Hinesville; four step-grandchildren, Tiffani Wooten of Norfolk, VA, and Brittani, Summer, and Sydney Schlimgen of Virginia Beach, VA. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Hinesville.  Funeral will follow at 2:30.  Burial with full military honors will be in Hinesville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the United States Army Honor Guard.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of the A.G. Overman Men’s Bible Class of First United Methodist Church and Hinesville Sports Officials Association.  Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA  31416. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Harrison Downs, please visit our flower store.