Info Sheet/Obit of Williard Robert "Bobby" Ethridge
Died July 13, 2012- 63 yrs old
Willard Robert "Bobby" Ethridge, age 63, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away on July 13, 2012. Bobby was co-captain of the Bass High Football Team in Little Five Points, GA.
He served his country from May '67 to March '69 as an Airborne Ranger with a tour in Vietnam as a Squad Leader, Long Range Recon Patrol LRRP, 4th Calvary, 25h Infantry Division. He had many achievements, while in the Rangers including graduation from NCO candidate school's Combat Leaders course in 1967; graduation from MACV Recondo School in 1968 in Nha Trang, Vietnam; being awarded a Purple Heart in July of 1968 and the Silver Star for valor in action in January 1969.
Bobby joined the Dekalb County Police Department in October of 1969. While with Dekalb County, Bobby continued to obtain information and knowledge to better help him serve his community and his country. Some of these accomplishments include attending Georgia Police Academy in January 1970; an Associate of Arts degree from Dekalb College in June 1978; graduating from FBI National Academy in 1980; going to Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1983; graduating from Georgia State University in June of 1988 with a Masters in Science degree with a 4.0 GPA.
Bobby was instrumental in obtaining a $19, 000 grant for Georgia State University from the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health because of his research on probable causes for robberies in convenience stores. He was appointed to Academy Director in November of 1988 and nominated Police Officer of the year in 1998 by the North Decatur Lions Club.
Bobby retired in 1999 as Tucker precinct as a Commander in DeKalb County. Bobby is survived by his wife, Jean; 3 children, 4 grandchildren, his step mother; brother and numerous other family and friends.
Inurnment was at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at 2 o'clock. The procession left the funeral home at 12 o'clock on Wednesday going to the cemetery. The family received friends on Tuesday July 17, 2012 from 2-4 o'clock until 6-8 o'clock at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, 770-277-4550. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com.
Comments:
Fred & Tresina Stuckey say:
July 14, 2012 at 12:00 am
Rest in Peace Bobby . As a Ranger Brother , we know that you fought as hard as was possible . You now have the rest that you so richly deserve . We were grateful that all your Ranger Brothers got to see you one last time in Nashville . You will be missed . Thanks to Jean for taking such good care of Bobby .
Phillip Norton says:
July 14, 2012 at 12:00 am
I know Bobby was not feeling well at our Ranger reunion last year in Columbus, Ga. or at our F Company reunion this year in Nashville. His being there with us took courage for both him & Jean. God Bless You Jean for your devotion to Bobby. I’m glad for the chance to get to know him a little better.
The courage you have shown, Bobby, this past year is Ranger courage. You are in a better place now. You lead the way for the rest of us. Rangers Lead the Way!
Ron Hart says:
July 14, 2012 at 12:00 am
Jean, I,m going to miss Bobby and you at the Ranger get together in Columbus. Bobby was a brother with the Rangers in Viet Nam. It seem just like yesterday during one of those reunions probably 2003 when Bobby rode his bike in one hell of a rain storm to Sky Dive in Alabama. Love you Bobby.
Marshall Huckaby says:
July 15, 2012 at 12:00 am
It was good to see Bobby at the recent F Company & 3/4 Cav reunion where he got to meet and shake the hand of a Pilot who pulled him from a “tight spot” in Vietnam. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted in knowing that when his country called, Bobby stepped forward. See you at the Rally Point.
William Eberhardt says:
July 15, 2012 at 12:00 am
You will be in our hearts, forever, brother. We will arrive Tues to help you meet up with our other brothers.
Tim and Brenda Rowbotham says:
July 15, 2012 at 12:00 am
Our deepest sympathy to Jean and family. I was proud to serve our country with Bobby in Vietnam and enjoyed talking with him at the Ranger Reunions. God bless Bobby and God Bless Jean and her family.
Mark Ponzillo says:
July 15, 2012 at 12:00 am
We have lost another “Ranger” brother. Bobby was respected, admired and held in high regard by those who served and fought along side him. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace; you earned it. Until our next patrol.