William R. Pershall

William R. Pershall retired Army Colonel died Tuesday, November 30, 2004.  He is survived by his wife, Doris M. Pershall; their daughter, Mary Maxwell; also, Betty and Bob Schlattweiler of Millstadt, IL, Dave and Dolores Morgan of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Colonel Pershall was formerly Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Third Army, Fort McPherson, upon his retirement from the Army in October in 1967, after 30 years of service.  He also served in the Georgia Department of Defense in financial administration until October 1983.  Colonel Pershall received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in Cavalry in June 1937 through the University of Illinois ROTC program.  During the war he served in the southwest Pacific Command in Australia and assignments to the Sixth Army Intelligence section in New Guinea.  At the end of World War II, he returned to the states as a major and was assigned to the Pentagon, where he was awarded an appointment in the Regular Army.  He eventually became a Battalion commander, a Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Armored Division, all in different tours, mostly in Germany.  He was an instructor at the U.S. Army Command, General Staff College and he attended the Army War College.  He received many distinctive decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and various campaign ribbons.  A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 3rd at 2:30 p.m. at the Little Chapel Building of the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, 1660 N. Decatur Rd., N.E, Atlanta, GA 30307.  Dr. Wesley H. Wachob will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA  30327. A. S. Turner & Sons