William J. Overton

Overton, William J. He was an educator and a champion for the City of Atlanta teacher's rights. In 1975, William (Bill) Overton was the president of the Atlanta Association of Educators. Bill led the Atlanta city teachers to the first ever teacher's strike. They fought for collective bargaining and salary increases. Teachers and other school personnel were able to get the salaries that were rightly deserved. Bill served on various boards for the Georgia Association of Educators and the National Education Association. He was a four time Georgia representative at NEA conventions.
William Overton was born on November 22, 1934 in Tallapoosa, Georgia. He was the only son of Helen Craven Overton and Julian Overton. With half of his ancestry being from the Craven side, this meant Bill would learn how to tell a good (and sometimes long) story. Bill was nicknamed "Skippy", and the nickname stuck for many years. He was just a few years old, when his parents divorced. Bill and his mother stayed in Tallapoosa for many years, and he loved being an outside explorer. He would dig for arrow heads, play in the woods and the creek. These outside adventures shaped Bill's love of nature and animals. Not just dogs and cats; he had a pet squirrel which would scurry up to his coat pocket to be with him. Bill fed birds, rabbits, and raccoons. He did not want any animals to be hungry.
In his teens, Bill's mother moved them to Atlanta. Their house was on 837 Ponce de Leon Ave. (Sadly the house has been torn down) In the summertime, Bill loved being in his backyard and watching the Georgia Cracker baseball team. Bill's mother taught at Rocksprings Elementary School, and for extra money she turned her home into a traveler's home. She named it the Viking Tourist home, and they had guests stay from over all other the country. Bill learned quickly how to properly fold sheets and make a bed. When FBI agents would stay there, Bill loved hearing their exciting stories, and he was given his own FBI badge.
After graduating from Grady High School, Bill attended the University of Georgia. He loved going to the football games, but Bill loved being a member of the University of Georgia Men's Glee Club. He still played his recorded LPs fifty years later. Bill graduated with a Bachelors of Education, and he wanted to teach chemistry. Bill eventually got his specialists degree in education. He spent one summer at The Ohio State University, and he declared himself an alumnus as well. He was proud to be a charter member of Clairmont Hills Baptist Church.
Bill returned to Grady HS to begin his teaching career. He was a bachelor for many years, until his cousin, Billie Holt, introduced him to a fellow teacher. Her name was Barbra Forrest and she was from Cumming, Georgia. They began dating in February 1963, and Bill was smitten. He almost blew it, because he told Barbra on their second date "he didn't know how it felt to be in love, but he knew now." Well, Barbra promptly broke up with him at the Dunk n' Dine on a Tuesday night. She called him on Wednesday telling him that she needed to get her encyclopedias out of the trunk of his car. Bill took the biggest chance of his life on Thursday. He called her to ask if they were still going out on their usual Friday date night. She said yes, and they were engaged that weekend.
They had three children Paula, Will and Laura. As Barbra said, we had three kids in diapers under three years old. Bill taught his children to love to go camping, climbing trees, playing kickball in the summer, and to never talk back. He taught them to be non-prejudicial and treat everyone equally.
Bill taught in the City of Atlanta for over thirty years. He taught his students how important the Environmental Protection Act was, and how to check pollution in the Chattahoochee River. He wrestled a black bear in the mountains and his biggest dream was to walk the Appalachian Trail. Bill had to retire from teaching early because of his heart disease. Barbra was still teaching in DeKalb County. Bill said that Barbra's honey-to-lists were harder than teaching full time.
In his later years, Bill concentrated on his cooking skills, specifically, carb laden foods. His hit parade included biscuits, corn bread, his famous pound cake, and Brunswick stew. In 1994, his daughter, Laura, blessed the family with the only grandchild, Lacey Madison Overton. Madison thought that her "Papi" hung the moon and the stars. Bill relished in picking up Madison from elementary school, dance lessons, and learning the words to Sponge Bob Square Pants. He attended every Grady HS reunion class that he was invited to. Barbra said it was amazing that he could fit through the front door because his head was so big from all of the adorations.
Bill's children have only known one childhood home. They know they have to feed all of the outside animals, even the raccoons. They wish they could recall every funny story Bill ever told them over 3000 times. Bill's artwork, which he did in his countless physical rehab stints, has special meaning to all of the family now. They have all of his Grady HS yearbooks, UGA glee club albums, and his 300 VCR tapes that he would never let them get rid of.
Bill is survived by his wonderful wife of 52 years, Barbra Forrest Overton, his daughter Paula Overton Haynes of Alpharetta, his son and daughter in law Will and Barbara Overton of Atlanta, and his daughter Laura Overton of Alpharetta. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Lacey Madison Overton and her fiancé, Anthony Polk of Alpharetta. He was preceded by death by his daughter in law, Diane Hood Overton.
Bill is in heaven now with his momma, and all of his pet squirrels, rabbits, cats and dogs. Folks are gathering around him to hear his funny stories of teaching, raising his children, and how he could not believe that a woman that looked like Barbra Forrest would marry him. When you spent five minutes with Bill, you knew why.

Memorial events are at A.S Turner and Sons
2773 N Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033
Visitation is on Tuesday, July 7th 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Celebration of Life is Wednesday, July 8th at 2:00pm
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Atlanta Humane Society in Bill's honor
Atlanta Humane Society
981 Howell Mill Road NW
Atlanta GA 30318


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