William “Bill” Thomas Haley, age 83, passed away peacefully with family by his side on May 10, 2023. William was born on April 26, 1940, in Gainesville, GA to the late Tom Watson and Annie Lou Webster Haley. He graduated from Fair Street High School of Gainesville in 1960. He married Sandra Ann Johnson and together, they became the parents of two sons, Greg and Brian. In 1968, he joined the Gainesville Police Department. He was one of the first African American officers to join the force. He later worked at Western Electric (which eventually became Lucent Technologies) as a fiber optic cable technician. He was afforded the opportunity to travel to Syracuse, NY to repair underground fiber optic cables. He retired from Lucent Technologies after 33 years of service. He is fondly remembered by his sons as a fun-loving father who gave them their first baseball lessons in the backyard where “many windows were broken”. He took them to the Gainesville High School football games as a Friday night tradition, and planned summer road trips to family reunions around the country. As a member of the Gents Club, he was active in his community as a youth mentor. He was also a drummer of a local band and was known to be one of the best drummers in Gainesville. Bill was an avid bowler, and he was a member of the Gainesville Bowling League. His picture still hangs at the Station 300 Gainesville Bowling Alley after being recognized as the only person to bowl a perfect game. He also played on various men’s Softball teams. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, Sidney Haley. He leaves to cherish his memory his sisters Latisha (John “Mickey”) Brown, and Bernice Kimbrough, 2 sons Greg (Kim) Haley, Brian (Nina) Haley, 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and beloved friends.
The visitation for Mr. Haley will be held Wednesday, May 17th at Wimberly Funeral Home between the hours of 12-8pm. The Family will receive friends between the hours of 6-8pm. Mr. Haley's Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 18th at the hour of 1pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.
