William John Kortrey

Chief Master Sgt. William J. Kortrey, 84, of Washington, Georgia entered into rest early Sunday morning, June 13, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.He was born June 22, 1925 in New York City, NY to Mr. William Kortrey and Mrs. Caroline Hecht Kortrey. Bill attended the William Howard Taft High school before he enlisted in the US Navy on July 8, 1942.He was discharged from the Navy in June of 1948 and then enlisted in the US. Air Force in September of ’48.He served our great country during WWII, the Korean War, the Cuban missile Crisis and Vietnam conflict.Bill received numerous awards during his units of service, the most prestigious being the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit award, both of which he was awarded twice each.He retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1969.He was an outstanding member of the Lions club for a number of years and a well remembered, little league baseball coach as well.He worked as the Executive Director of the City of Washington’s Housing Authority for 30 years before finally retiring in 1999. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife of 33 years, Anne Laura Wilkerson Kortrey, who passed in 1984.He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Ruth Vinson Kortrey along with his sons; Matthew Kortrey and wife, Sharon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Richard A. Kortrey and wife, Jenny of Lizella, Georgia and Steven B. Kortrey of Macon; as well as grandchildren, Adam and Lee, the sons of Matt and Sharon Kortrey, Hannah and MacKenzie, daughters of Richard and Jenny Kortrey and Lauren, Julia and Ryan, children of Steve; He is survived by a sister, Doris Kortrey Peters of Boca Raton, Florida. Bill is also survived by a step son, Kenneth Davis and his wife Barbara Davis, in addition to their daughters, Amber Davis, Nina Davis Posey and her husband, Adam Posey together with their two boys, Jacob and Alexander Posey. Bill Kortrey was a great man, a fine father and an incredible husband who was loved dearly.He will be greatly missed by many. Graveside services will be held Friday, June 18th at 10a.m. in Resthaven Cemetery with full Military Honors.Rev. Donnie Crosswhite will officiate.Mike Eskew, Chan Drake, Lawrence Burton, Allen Burton, Jim Burton, Mike Davis, Tommy Bradford and Joey Fievet will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8pm at the funeral home.