William Edward Sturkey

William “Bill” Edward Sturkey was born on April 13, 1944 to Ernestine Nathan (later Griffith) and George Sturkey. His global perspective was formed early through a military childhood spent across the world, notably in Japan, Switzerland, Germany, a place for which he retained a lifelong affection. His family then returned to Columbus, Georgia, where he graduated from Spencer High School.

While attending college at the University of Cincinnati, he had the great fortune to meet the love of his life, Mary Moye, who became his loyal and dedicated spouse for over 54 years, until preceding him in death in 2022. He worked for over 30 years as a machinist with General Motors and was a proud member of the United Auto Workers union.

Bill was a longtime member of Cincinnati’s Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he sang in the men’s Inspirational Choir, and even served as choir president. His later years were spent in his beloved home in Fitzgerald, Georgia, where he grew pecans, peaches, and other vegetables, collected baseball caps, fished in his own private pond, and did woodworking in his backyard workshop. When his beloved uncle, Edward “Deke” Franklin became ill, he took him into his home and was a devoted caretaker until his uncle’s death.

A spirited competitor, Bill was a dominant player in games from Monopoly to bid whist, and he taught his three daughters to aim high, and never settle for anything less than the best. Knowledgeable and highly-opinionated, he had a passion for politics and global affairs that remained undimmed. In his golden years, however, he was most proud of his five grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, his “Uncle Deke,” and his devoted wife Mary. His living legacy includes daughters, Stephanie (Frederick) Jones, Phaedrea (Stephen) Preston, and April (Christopher) Sunami, grandchildren, F. Rian Jones, Aarin Jones, Joi Terry, River Sunami and Ella Sunami, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Special mention is due to his brother-in-law Warren “Greg” Moye and wife Marcia and his sister-in-law Joyce Cathcart for their unwavering support during his final illness.

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