William Montgomery Obituary

In the early morning of July 11, 2025, William "Bill" D. Montgomery Jr., (78) originally of Blackstock, S.C. and 42-year resident of Savannah, GA, gently left his earthly life. He was surrounded by his faithful wife, four children and eldest grandchild.
A porch side visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 5796 Oak St., Fort Lawn, SC 29714. A graveside service will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Fort Lawn, S.C.
Bill was the second son of William D. Montgomery Sr. and Barbara Henderson Montgomery.
He is survived by his wife Jackie Montgomery of 54 years and 11 months; children: Lori (Scott Borders) Montgomery, Niki (Adam) Davis, Monty and Donald; grandchildren: Meara, Andrew, Sarah, Elle and Benjamin; and siblings: Charles (Annie) Montgomery, Mildred Downey, Robert (Jan) Montgomery and Barbara Ann Wise; beloved in-laws, Raya Broughton and Lewis Gainer; plus, a boatload of loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Montgomery; brother-in-law, Darrell Downey; and grandson, Eoin Borders.
Bill was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines Corps. He served as an aide to the Admiral on the flagship U.S.S. Springfield with the Sixth Fleet. On two special occasions, he escorted Princess Grace and President Nixon onboard the guided-missile cruiser.
He was a Civil Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District hailing from the University of South Carolina. For over three decades, Bill designed for many Army Corps projects in and around Savannah, as well as other Savannah District Missions including New Orleans after Katrina; combat zones: Kabul after 9/11 and Kuwait during Desert Storm. He also worked on the Santee Cooper Canal in South Carolina.
While he was truly dedicated to his work, Bill lived for more. He naturally explored everyday as if it could be the last (though not his goal). He tried and often succeeded at almost anything he put his mind to or gave it his all in the attempt, even to his last days. He was a naturalist, beekeeper, amateur mycophile, lapidarist, silversmith, woodworker and entrepreneur, just to name a fraction. His life, if detailed fully, would read like fiction today but he was most proud of his main titles, Daddy and Paw-Paw. To his beneficiaries, he imparted his zest for living, integrity, generosity, tenacity and his bootstrap.
Thank you God for Bill Montgomery.
In Lieu of Flowers: Wear your "rock," be generous to your neighbor (Luke 10:29-37) or donate to one of Bill's favorite local wild places: The Rock Hole (A Family Nature Preserve): Mary Beth Blair, Treasurer, [email protected] or 803-374-6422; Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah, GA, oatland.sccpss.com.