Underwood, Bill died on Sunday, May 4, 2008, at his home in Rome, GA. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Underwood was born on July 13, 1923, in Gordon County, GA., his childhood was spent in Gordon County peddling notions out of his wagon throughout the community to earn money for his family during the Depression. He served as the Senior Class Secretary of his graduating class at Sonoraville High School in 1942. Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in November 1942, as a Radioman, First Class, and served in the South Pacific during World War II on PT Boat 338. On January 19, 1945, he married his childhood sweetheart, Sara Ann West. Bill combined his communication and people skills and early experience in meeting his family and personal needs to start a career in providing insurance services in North Georgia. In 1956, he and his young family moved south to Valdosta, GA, where he continued to expand his insurance sales and services and built a successful career with Underwood and Associates, Inc. Bill's compassion and innovative skills in guiding individuals in identifying the type and level of insurance necessary to protect and guard themselves against loss led him to recognition and many awards by the insurance industry. Mr. Underwood was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Valdosta, and enjoyed golf as a member of Valdosta Country Club.

Bill and Sara enjoyed square dancing and lively games of Canasta with friends, and entertained friends and family at their lovely summer home on Lake Burton in the north Georgia Mountains. After the death of his wife in 2003, Bill returned to Rome, GA., to live close to his brother and many extended family members. During the past five years, despite many physical challenges, Bill continued to stay active, attending West Rome Baptist Church, where he sang in the Senior Choir, playing golf, traveling with his siblings, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and participating in lively political and religious discussions with friends and family. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by many. Mr. Underwood was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Lee Underwood and Marietta Victoria Bohannon Underwood; one brother, Ted Marshall Underwood; and his wife of 58 years, Sara Ann West Underwood.

Mr. Underwood is survived by his brother, Roy Underwood (Willene) of Rome; his sisters, Joan Beard (Gordon) of Tallahassee, FL, and Rebecca Sewell (Ike) of Knoxville, TN; his sister-in-law, Jean Clement Underwood; two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda Underwood Sirmons (Gary) of Atlanta, Beverly Underwood Bradshaw (Billy) of Rome; a son, Roger Lynn Underwood of Valdosta; six grandchildren, Dare Underwood Hartsell (Chris) of Birmingham, AL, Joseph "Joey" Gary Sirmons of Atlanta, Belinda Sirmons Crumpton (Keith) of Birmingham, Edan Underwood of Birmingham, Katie Butler Burton (John) of Asheville, NC, and Rafe Underwood Butler of Rome; four great-grandchildren, six nieces and three nephews and countless extended family members throughout Gordon County and the Southeast United States.




Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the Sonoraville Baptist Church of Gordon County with Mr. Duane Bohannon officiating. Mr. Underwood will lie in-state in the church from 10 AM until the funeral hour. Interment will follow services in the Sonoraville Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home. At other hours the family will receive at Mr. Underwood's home.

Pallbearers serving are family members and include Joey Sirmons, Rafe Butler, Gary Sirmons, John Burton, Lyle West, Wesley Thomas, Billy Bradshaw, and Randy Thomas.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the Georgia Sheriffs' Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 100, Hahira, GA, 31632, and (229) 794-2606.

Please join Mr. Underwood's family in honoring his life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.com to post tributes and share memories.

The Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

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