William J. (Bill) Gantt, 78, of Villa Rica, GA passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Tanner Medical Center, Villa Rica.

He was born in Villa Rica on July 10, 1940, the son of the late William Ely Gantt Sr. and the late Almeadie Williams Gantt. He lived his entire lifetime in this area, was a 1959 graduate of Villa Rica High School and served in the United States Army and National Guard.

He was married to Pat Streetman Gantt for twenty-five years, then they divorced. He remained single for several years and married his second wife, Viola Stapler until she died in May, 2015. After a short time he re-united with his first love and they spent many happy hours together until her death in November, 2017.

He worked for Georgia Power for thirty-five years on various jobs and when he retired, he took a job with the City of Villa Rica as Director of Community Services and worked there for eight years. He enjoyed gardening, was an avid golfer and loved spending time on a lake fishing. He was formerly very active in the Villa Rica Jaycees, served as president to the Lions Club, was a lifetime member of the American Legion, a fifty year member of the Villa Rica Masonic Lodge No. 72 F&AM and was a Shriner. He was a member of the Powell Chapel United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles E. Gantt and Henry T. Gantt.

He is survived by his son, Michael Gantt (Kerri Baker) of Douglas, Michigan; a step-daughter, Nancy (Larry) Chandler and their daughter, Hannah, of Villa Rica; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 12:00 P.M. from the chapel of the J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home with Dr. Kevin Williams officiating. Music will be provided by Nelson Fleming. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday morning from 11:00 A.M. until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in William’s memory to John Ball Zoo, Time To Soar Campaign, 1300 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jhoytthomas.com.

J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home of Villa Rica is caring for the Gantt Family.