William Elfrink

Family-Placed Death Notice

ELFRINK, William William David Mayes Elfrink, our gentle and generously spirited brother and uncle died at Emory University Hospital on October 17, 2009 after a brief illness. Uncle Bill, as he was fondly called by his family who dearly loved him, was an amazingly kind and humble man. Only his closest friends and family knew that he served in the Merchant Marines during World War II in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and finally the Philippines as part of the staging for the invasion of Japan. He would not mention that he had been a founder and avid supporter of a Day Care Center in Lynnwood Park in north Atlanta for the children of poor working mothers or that he generously added to the endowment and program needs of the Goizueta Business School and Emory University. Bill's love for the sea and his experiences during WWII culminated during the 50th anniversary of D-Day, when he was present off the coast of France, helping to honor and support the presence of one of the remaining Liberty Ships from the 1940s era. In 1954 Bill, with his partner Albert Vermont opened an insurance and loan agency, Financial Management, Inc. He was unassumingly proud of the record of service and financial success his company had with its loans. Many people were able to consolidate their debts and with counseling, get their personal finances on a sound footing. His concern then, and for all his life, was to help improve the lives of others. Following his retirement from the Insurance Industry, Bill became a world traveler. When asked about his favorite trip, he said that the one he took on a Russian Icebreaker to the North Pole was interesting, but for scenery, wildlife and general inspiration Antarctica was the best. Bill also loved trains and among his many railroad adventures were trips on the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul and a "Customized" Journey by Rail through Southern Africa. Bill's generous and compassionate nature touched all who knew him. Thank you Bill for showing us a path to making this a better world. Rest in peace. We love you. His brother, Richard Morrow of Baltimore, a sister Mary Duane of Denver, eight nieces and nephews, and fifteen great-nieces and nephews survive Bill.