William F. Cummins, Jr.

William F. Cummins III, age 79, formerly a resident of Fort Bragg, CA, died February 29, 2012 in Decatur, Georgia. Bill was born Nov. 20, 1932 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the eldest of three children of William F. Cummins II and Alice Hunt Magruder. Bill was the older brother to twin brothers John "Pickett" and Edmund "Ed". Bill and his family moved frequently due to his father's work as a US Civil Engineer, living in Monroe, LA, Fort Peck, MT, and Portland, OR. The family eventually returned to Vicksburg, MS, where Bill was the Salutatorian for his graduation class at Carr Central High School. Bill attended Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor's degree in Physics. As an undergraduate, Bill was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and performed with the GA Tech Band. During his senior year at GA Tech, Bill met Agnes Scott College student, Mary Alice McDowell, whom he married after graduation in 1954. They moved to New Haven, CT where Bill attended Yale University. He graduated in 1956 with a MS Degree in Nuclear Physics. Bill was one semester shy of earning a PhD degree when he received an important job offer working for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a premier research and development institution for advanced science and technology applied to national security in Livermore, California.

Bill was a brilliant Physicist who spent his entire career working in the field of nuclear fusion. During his last few years at LLL, Bill worked for President Regan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Bill's intellectual prowess extended beyond his scientific abilities, he was also a talented musician. During graduate studies at Yale, Bill performed with the Boston Symphony as a substitute flutist. He was an avid ham radio operator, continuously active for more than 65 years. Bill received his license in 1947 while he was still a student in high school. His call sign was K6MYH. Bill was an active member of the Willits Amateur Radio Society in Mendocino County, CA for many years, enjoying frequent ham radio swap meets and weekly "Koffee Klatches" in Fort Bragg, CA. Bill was also a member of the San Francisco Bay Area US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Bill married Betty Verchota in 1982, and after retirement, moved to Fort Bragg, CA. Betty preceded Bill in death in 2009 after a long illness.

Over the past few years, Bill courageously struggled with the debilitating effects of COPD, Lung Cancer, and Parkinson's Disease. In 2010, he relocated to Decatur Georgia to be near his loving family. Bill touched the lives of many people with his profound intelligence and wit, his smile, and his trademark wry sense of humor.

Bill is survived by his three children and their spouses; Alice (Rick) Bush of Shawnee, KS, William D Cummins (Donna) of Decatur, GA, and Charles (Susan) Cummins of Lilburn, GA, former wife, Mary Alice Cummins of Atlanta, GA, brothers John Pickett (Betsy) Cummins of Lawrenceville, GA, and Edmund (Maxine) Cummins of Buford, GA, his step-sister Gloria Dale Cummins of Kennewick, WA, five grandchildren; Lee (Millie) Bush of Milwaukee, WI, Jim (Amy) Bush of Kansas City, KS, Bonnie Bush of Kansas City, KS, Caleb and Christopher Cummins of Lilburn, GA, his great grandson Benjamin Bush, and many nieces and nephews.

The family is extremely grateful to the wonderful service provided by the entire team of Compassionate Care Hospice and to the kind, attentive nursing staff of Budd Terrace Nursing Home in Decatur, GA.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating the life of William F Cummins III on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033. A reception will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to The COPD Foundation, Compassionate Care Hospice, The American Parkinson's Disease Association, or the American Lung Association. Cremation Services were provided by A. S. Turner & Sons Funerals and Crematory in Decatur, GA.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033