Bill Hembree

Bill Hembree, of Winston, Georgia, passed away on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026. Born on March 8, 1966, in Villa Rica, Georgia, Bill lived a life marked by leadership, service, and deep dedication to his family and community.

Bill was a proud graduate of Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Georgia, Class of 1984. During his senior year, he served as State DECA President, and following graduation, he went on to become National DECA President, serving in that role for one year. His early leadership opened the door to a full scholarship to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Bill was a lifelong learner with a global perspective. He studied abroad at the University of Oslo in Norway, participated in Semester at Sea through the University of Pittsburgh, and was honored as a Rotary Scholar in Scotland. His travels took him across the world and shaped his deep appreciation for people, cultures, and education.

Bill dedicated two decades of his life to public service, serving in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1992 to 2012. During his tenure, he held the distinguished roles of Chairman of Higher Education and Chairman of the Rules Committee, where he worked tirelessly to improve Georgia’s higher education system and honorably served the citizens of Georgia.

In 2000, Bill founded Hembree Insurance Agency, growing the business into three offices over the next 20 years. He was proud to build a company grounded in integrity and service and took great pride in leaving this legacy for his three sons to run and manage. Above all, Bill was a devoted husband and father. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 34 years, Beth Camp Hembree, and his three sons: Will Hembree (Liz) of Kennesaw, Georgia; Thomas Hembree of Marietta, Georgia; and Miles Hembree of Douglasville, Georgia. He is also survived by his siblings: Arubra Hembree Gardner (David), Vista Hembree Richardson, Phil Hembree, and Johnny Hembree; his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Richardson (Tremayne), Josh Richardson (Kelly), and Jennifer Payne (Jaymie); his mother-in-law, Charlotte Rainwater (Terry); and his brother-in-law, Woodward Camp (Lynn).

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Herman Aubrey Hembree; his mother, Monta Raye Buchanan Hembree; brother-in-law, Jimmy Richardson and his niece, Brandy Hembree.

Bill will be remembered for his leadership, vision, love of learning, and unwavering commitment to his family and community. After courageously fighting cancer for eight years, Bill has now won his battle, and his body is completely healed. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to MD Anderson, Northside Hospital, Dr. Mehul Patel, Dr. Paul Mansfield, Dr. John Paul Shen, Agape Hospice, Villa Rica, Georgia, and Tiffany Henley with Heaven Sent Caregivers, Bremen, Georgia. Special thanks extended to Bill’s hospice nurse, Kasey Bates, CNA’s Pam Justus, Haley Elsberry and caregivers Lisa Sanders, Tami Murphy, and Marie Dubois for their compassion and loving care in Bill’s final days.

In 2024, Bill and Beth established the Bill Hembree Scholarship with the National DECA Program, continuing Bill’s lifelong dedication to DECA and student leadership. Beth presented the first scholarship to a National DECA Officer in the spring of 2025. This meaningful legacy will continue in Bill’s honor.

Those wishing to contribute to the Bill Hembree Scholarship Fund may donate to: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1915229 or mail your check to National DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191, (703) 860-5000 If you donate online, please also follow up with an email to marie@deca.org to designate your donation specifically for the Bill Hembree Scholarship Fund.

If you choose to donate to the scholarship fund, please follow up with an email to marie@deca.org to designate your donation specifically for the Bill Hembree Scholarship Fund and your name.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Jones Wynn Funeral Home Douglas Chapel. The funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Douglasville, Prestley Mill Road. Mr. Hembree will lie in state from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. John Pennington, Rev. Tim Constein and Rev. Mike Mallory officiating. Interment will follow at Heritage Gardens Cemetery on Highway 5, Douglasville, Georgia.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com Jones-Wynn Funeral Home & Crematory of Douglasville is in charge of the arrangements. 770-942-2311