William Fincher

Family-Placed Death Notice

MR. WILLIAM WESLEY FINCHER, Jr. Mr. William Wesley (Bill) Fincher, Jr., 91, of Chatsworth passed away April 15, 2006 at Hamilton Medical Center. Mr. Fincher was born May 16, 1914, in Cherokee County, son of the late William Wesley Fincher, Sr., and Mary Amanda Chambers Fincher. His brother Jack C. Fincher and sisters Sarah Elliott Bove and Iola Fincher Berry, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Eunice Loughridge (Peg) Fincher, who has been his inspiration and supporter for over 69 years. Mr. Fincher was a loving husband, father and friend to all who knew him. Mr. Fincher's life exemplified love of his church, his family and his fellowman. Bill Fincher saw his success as a businessman and legislator as an opportunity to help others, and he truly enjoyed using his abilities and resources for God's work. Survivors include his wife of 69 years Eunice Loughridge (Peg) Fincher; three daughters and sons-in-law Mary Jane and Hugh Peterson of Atlanta; Phyllis and Huber Parsons of Coral Gables, Florida; Frances and Nat Hansford of Dahlonega. Grandchildren Hugh Peterson III (Elizabeth Greene), Bill Peterson, Richard Peterson, Patience Peterson, Huber R. Parsons III (Angela Barr), William Parsons (Molly McClintock), Christine Parsons, Charles Parsons, Nate Hansford and Mary Frances Hansford, and 3 great-grandchildren: Sarah Jane and Katherine Peterson and Will Parsons. He is also survived by sister-in-law Ruth Ann Pannell of Atlanta. Bill Fincher followed in his father's footsteps and became A pharmacist. He completed pharmacy school at the University of South Carolina, in 1933, and opened Fincher Drug Company in Chatsworth in 1935 with the help of his brother Jack. Bill met Eunice (Peg) Loughridge, who was a native of Murray County and teaching school there. They were married in Canton, Georgia, on July 6, 1936. After 16 years running Fincher Drug Co., Bill sold the drug store and went into the theatre business, eventually owning a chain of theatres. During his life Bill Fincher was active in the Murray County community and surrounding area. He was active for over 60 years in the Lion's Club, holding various offices, was a long-time member of the Masonic Order, was a member of both Murray County and Whitfield County chambers of commerce, and was active in the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. He was an Emeritus Director and served on the Board of Directors of Cohutta Banking Company for over 50 years. He was a loyal supporter of Dalton State College. From 1976 to 1982 he served as a Trustee of the DSC Foundation and again from 1991-1996. In 1964, Mr. Fincher was elected to the Georgia State Senate from the 54th Senatorial District, comprised of Whitfield, Murray, and Catoosa Counties. He served with distinction for 26 years under the leadership of governors Carl Sanders, Lester Maddox, Jimmy Carter, George Busbee, and Joe Frank Harris. His accomplishments for the Northwest Georgia area and the state are still felt today and will be for years to come. During his time in the Georgia State Senate, he served as Chairman of the Higher Education Committee, Chairman of Health and Welfare Committee, and member of numerous committees during his tenure, including the Banking and Finance Committee, and Appropriations Committee. He was a delegate to the Southern Regional Education Board. In 1980, Senator Fincher sponsored the bill in the Georgia legislature to fund the Georgia Military Scholarship. Among the legislative bills sponsored by Senator Fincher was the one to fund the Georgia Military Scholarship. Mr. Fincher joined the First United Methodist Church in Chatsworth in 1935, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and Finance Committee for many years. The institutions and charities Mr. Fincher loved included Chatsworth First United Methodist Church, Reinhardt College, Dalton State College, North Georgia College and State University, Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes, Boy Scout Troup 73 in Chatsworth. The funeral service will be Monday, April 17, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chatsworth First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Chatsworth Heights Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 4pm until 7pm. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Chatsworth First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, P.O. Box 152, Chatsworth Georgia 30705. Peeples Funeral Home of Chatsworth is in charge of funeral arrangements. 706-695-4634