William Eastwood

William Russell Eastwood, Jr. 73, passed away on January 29, 2025 following a hard but courageous fight against cancer.

The world changed for the best when Bill was born February 17, 1951, in Massena New York.

He was born to the late, William R Eastwood, Sr. and Sally Ann Sharlow Eastwood.

He attended Massena High School, and Syracuse University.

Bill was in the United States Air Force from 1970 -1974, he returned to Syracuse University following honorable discharge from USAF to teach IT classes for some time.

In the early 80's, he moved to Georgia for a job, and to get away from the cold winter months in upstate New York.

In 2005, he met his soon to be southern bride, Karen, and they married in 2007. He liked to say "It took a southern girl to straighten this yankee boy out."  Many would say they fit together like puzzle pieces, sharing everything they enjoyed together.

Bill was employed by Georgia Baptist Healthcare System and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board for over 30 years as Officer of Information Technology. If Bill could not fix it, it was not getting fixed. He is remembered as the "Joyful Servant" by his friends and coworkers from GBMB. He was whatever they needed him to be, helping in any and every way for anyone that needed something done. To Karen, he was her "energizer bunny."

Even after retiring in 2021, he took three days off and returned to work for three more years as a part-time employee. He loved his job, loved the people he worked with and just wasn't ready to walk away. In June of 2024, he decided to enjoy more time with his wife, Karen, and the entire family. They spent time at the beach house they bought for retirement in Mississippi, traveling in the RV; and he and Karen loved sharing it with their dogs Baxter and Pageant.

Bill loved the beach but also enjoyed trips to the mountains in Tennessee. He loved celebrating their wedding anniversary every year in Pigeon Forge where they married in December of 2007.

He loved camping, spending time outdoors, and working/volunteering alongside Karen at various campgrounds in Georgia. He was always willing to help you whether he knew you or not. He never met a stranger that didn't walk away as a friend.

He loved playing golf but hadn't been able to play much lately due to his health issues.

He loved him some Franki Valli! He enjoyed his oldies radio stations.

Bill loved, adored and was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He continuously instilled in them to work hard, study hard and do well in school. He was over the top happy to see his grandson Grant accepted into and attend Georgia Tech; and daughter Morgan in UNG Dahlonega.

He loved his dog, Baxter. He missed Baxter so much while he was in the hospital. And Bill was the only one Baxter truly loves too!

Bill leaves a hole in the hearts of every single person that worked with him, and the hundreds of friends and family that knew him and loved him.

He was something to everyone that knew him, and everything to those that loved him.

Left behind to cherish him and all he was to us, is his wife of 17 years, Karen Shree Eastwood; his son, Will Eastwood (Christy) of Gainesville Ga, daughter, Taylor Eastwood (Chris) of Rome Ga, daughter Morgan Eastwood of Dahlonega, Ga; grandchildren, Grant, Ryder, Ransom and Saber Eastwood; brothers Dick (Beverly) Eastwood and Kim Eastwood,  a host of several nieces and nephews all of Massena, New York; stepchildren, Kristina Sconiers, Lee Amerson, Joey Amerson; step-grandchildren, Skylar, Rylee, Tucker, Wyatt and Rhett Amerson; father and mother in law, Joe and Joan Parkin, who Bill loved and adored as if they were his own.

"God's Omnipotence Is Always One Step Ahead Of Our Incompetence