William Edson Brillhart

BRILLHART, William Edson Brillhart age 95 of Decatur, died Wednesday, May 20, 2015. He went to join Connie, his wife of 68 years, Cornelia Camp Brillhart. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Ross Brillhart. He will be dearly missed by his daughters Beth Brillhart Nuttall and husband Robert, Mary Brillhart Bower and husband David, four grandsons, Christopher William Bower, Robert William Nuttall, Jason Andrew Bower and Jeffrey Phillip Nuttall. Bill was born January 1, 1920 in Bowling Green, Ohio. He grew up in Napoleon Ohio on the Maumee River. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. While stationed in Chamblee, Georgia he met Connie at the USO before leaving to serve in WWII. In Europe serving as a Medic in the Army's 4th infantry division he received a bronze star and a purple heart. After the war in 1946 he married Connie, an Atlanta native. Bill received a masters degree at Emory University and taught Biology at Georgia Tech and Emory's Junior College at Valdosta. For 38 years Bill was a Biology Professor at Emory University teaching over 30, 000 students. With his love of the water he taught Emory Coastal Biology courses at St. Simons Island and in Jamaica. A quote from a former graduate student " Bill Brillhart is more than a professor. He has a deep respect and compassion for life which transcends textbook biology, and he gives his students an understanding of principals, thoughts, and facts that have helped me with academics as well as becoming a better human being."After retiring Bill enjoyed his four grandsons and traveled with Connie to many Elder Hostels. Bill was a life long learner with a deep appreciation of science and nature. In lieu of flowers donations maybe made to Saint Simons Land Trust at www.salt.org or The Glynn Environmental Coalition at www.glynnenvironmental.org. The family will receive friends and have (moments of sharing) from 4-6pm on Friday, May 22, 2015 at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory. There will be a family burial at Westview Cemetery.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033