Lt. Col. William Elmer Buechler, Jr.

William E. Buechler, Jr. age 99, of Woodstock, GA, passed away Friday February 7, 2020. He was born September 3, 1920 in Baltimore, MD, to William E. Buechler, Sr. and Carrie Chase Buechler. William graduated Decatur High School class of 1937 and attended Georgia Tech. He met the love of his life, Lily Branham, whom he married in 1941 and together they were blessed with 3 girls. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He proudly served with distinction as a B29 pilot with the 44th Squadron, 40th Bomb Group. After WWII he remained in service to his country for an additional 21 years in the Army Reserves retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. In addition, he was employed for 42 years as a Passenger Accounts Manager for Southern Railway.
William was preceded in death by his parents, William, Sr. and Carrie Buechler, his first wife of 62 years Lily B. Buechler, his second wife of 15 years Lucille P. Buechler, and his brother Master Sgt. James W. and Theresa Buechler.
William is survived by his 3 daughters and their husbands: Elaine Beasley (Charley), Cheryl Gregor (Dan), and Trish Lanford (John); 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren and 2 nephews.
Visitation will be held at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home on Thursday, February 13, 2020, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 1520 Oak Rd, Snellville, GA, on February 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM. The committal service will follow at Decatur Cemetery, 229 Bell St, Decatur, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Outreach Program at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.