1931
William
2017
William Sandford Durrell
October 14, 1931 — March 19, 2017
Dr. William Sandford Durrell (Sandy) died peacefully in Greenville, South Carolina on March 19, 2017 at the age of 85. His loving family gathered to spend time comforting him as he prepared to return to our Heavenly Father. Sandy is survived by his angel wife, Jane, children, Kathy Lockhart (Mike), Debbie Swain (John), Bill (Stacy), Trish Hamel (Ron) and Caroline Fritz, grandchildren Will Powell, Greg Powell (Sarah), Michael Swain (Liz), Adam Swain (Andrea), Madeline Durrell, Katie Durrell, Mary Frances Durrell, Lini Waller (Drew), Chris Hamel (Jessica), Nick Hamel, Matthew Hamel (Jannelys), Janisha Strothers (Mike), Dylan Fritz and Kai Fritz, and great grandchildren, Hannah, Leah, Henry, Benjamin, Blaise, Charlotte, Max, Samson, Gregory, Jarianna, Auna, and Ella. He was preceded in death by his parents, William E. and Abbie N., and beloved cousin, Edith Ann.
Sandy was born on October 14, 1931 in Miami, Florida. After graduating from Ft. Lauderdale High, he went on to the University of Florida where he began his academic studies in organic chemistry and chemical engineering, was honored with membership in the academic fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, and also began his 60+ year affiliation in the Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity, a tightknit group of some of his closest friends to this day. It was at the University of Florida that Sandy also met the love of his life, Mary Jane. They married in 1953 and immediately began their family with twin girls arriving the next year while he was pursuing his PhD in Organic Chemistry. Upon completion, Sandy began a long and distinguished career as an industrial chemist, research and development manager, and corporate executive. During this time he also served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. As a member and leader in the American Chemical Society for 60 years, Sandy continued to serve the ACS after retirement by serving on the board and mentoring the next generation of leaders. He was honored as an ACS Fellow in 2011 for lifetime contributions to the Society. Many patents have been credited to Sandy's research efforts, most notably for the agricultural chemical, Atrazine. Over time, Sandy's career in R&D in plastics, agricultural and specialty chemicals took the family from Florida to Alabama, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania. These changes in scenery brought three more children, new friends and new adventures including skiing, sailing, and travel around the world.
Following retirement, Sandy and Jane spent several years in Pittsburgh's Nevillewood golf community before eventually settling in their cozy, peaceful cabin in the woods at Skylake in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia. There they enjoyed life to the fullest enjoying adventures with their many friends. Sandy served on the board as a member and, then, as President of the Skylake Homeowners' Association. Sandy and Jane were members of the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Community in Cleveland, Georgia where Sandy was a devoted member of the choir and the Knights of Columbus. He always looked forward to performing with the Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale. In August 2015, Sandy and Jane moved to The Woodlands at Furman in Greenville, South Carolina where they were active in the community and enjoyed taking classes at Furman University.
Sandy was brilliant, fun-loving and had the most unforgettable sense of humor. He introduced the entire family to Monty Python's antics, especially "The Ministry of Silly Walks". Sandy and Jane's 64 years of loving devotion to each other exemplified the best of marriage to their children and all who knew them. He loved to sing, play ukulele and tennis, travel, make people laugh, dress-up for Halloween, and teach his grandkids to play tennis, play guitar and take them ziplining, hiking and horseback riding at Grandfather and Grandmother's Summer Camp at Skylake. He loved his friends, the Florida Gators, adventure, martinis, strawberry milkshakes, the latest gadgets, funny movies, and serenading his wife. Mostly, Sandy loved God and his family.
An Honor Guard will be at 10 AM and the Funeral Mass at 11 AM this Saturday, March 25 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland, Georgia with a reception to follow at the church's Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sandy's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 1243 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, Georgia, 30528.
Sandy was born on October 14, 1931 in Miami, Florida. After graduating from Ft. Lauderdale High, he went on to the University of Florida where he began his academic studies in organic chemistry and chemical engineering, was honored with membership in the academic fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, and also began his 60+ year affiliation in the Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity, a tightknit group of some of his closest friends to this day. It was at the University of Florida that Sandy also met the love of his life, Mary Jane. They married in 1953 and immediately began their family with twin girls arriving the next year while he was pursuing his PhD in Organic Chemistry. Upon completion, Sandy began a long and distinguished career as an industrial chemist, research and development manager, and corporate executive. During this time he also served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. As a member and leader in the American Chemical Society for 60 years, Sandy continued to serve the ACS after retirement by serving on the board and mentoring the next generation of leaders. He was honored as an ACS Fellow in 2011 for lifetime contributions to the Society. Many patents have been credited to Sandy's research efforts, most notably for the agricultural chemical, Atrazine. Over time, Sandy's career in R&D in plastics, agricultural and specialty chemicals took the family from Florida to Alabama, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania. These changes in scenery brought three more children, new friends and new adventures including skiing, sailing, and travel around the world.
Following retirement, Sandy and Jane spent several years in Pittsburgh's Nevillewood golf community before eventually settling in their cozy, peaceful cabin in the woods at Skylake in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia. There they enjoyed life to the fullest enjoying adventures with their many friends. Sandy served on the board as a member and, then, as President of the Skylake Homeowners' Association. Sandy and Jane were members of the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Community in Cleveland, Georgia where Sandy was a devoted member of the choir and the Knights of Columbus. He always looked forward to performing with the Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale. In August 2015, Sandy and Jane moved to The Woodlands at Furman in Greenville, South Carolina where they were active in the community and enjoyed taking classes at Furman University.
Sandy was brilliant, fun-loving and had the most unforgettable sense of humor. He introduced the entire family to Monty Python's antics, especially "The Ministry of Silly Walks". Sandy and Jane's 64 years of loving devotion to each other exemplified the best of marriage to their children and all who knew them. He loved to sing, play ukulele and tennis, travel, make people laugh, dress-up for Halloween, and teach his grandkids to play tennis, play guitar and take them ziplining, hiking and horseback riding at Grandfather and Grandmother's Summer Camp at Skylake. He loved his friends, the Florida Gators, adventure, martinis, strawberry milkshakes, the latest gadgets, funny movies, and serenading his wife. Mostly, Sandy loved God and his family.
An Honor Guard will be at 10 AM and the Funeral Mass at 11 AM this Saturday, March 25 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland, Georgia with a reception to follow at the church's Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sandy's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 1243 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, Georgia, 30528.
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