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William Baughman Obituary


Family-Placed Death Notice

BAUGHMAN, William OBITUARY William E. Baughman DOB April 8, 1941 Philadelphia, PA William E. Baughman, age 70, of Atlanta, Georgia, died January 22, 2012 of cardiac arrest. Born in Philadelphia, Bill grew up in Arlington, Virginia, graduating form Wakefield High School, followed by securing undergraduate and master's criminal justice degrees from Florida State University and Sam Houston State University respectively. During his undergraduate years he was member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity in Tallahassee and Lambda Alpha Epsilon, a national law enforcement professional fraternity. In the mid-sixties, and between his university pursuits, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, entered OCS at Ft. Benning and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. He served as the commander of the post stockade at the Presidio of San Francisco. Bill moved to Atlanta in 1971 following graduate school to accept a position with the Georgia Department of Corrections where he subsequently held many administrative and management positions during his career culminating in his retirement in 2001. During his correctional career, he served as President of the Southern States Correctional Association and was one of the founders of the Georgia Correctional Association in which he served as its first President. He was also an active member of the American Correctional Association. Additionally, he was a charter member of the Criminal Justice Alumni Association of the Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed his hobbies of fly fishing for North Georgia trout, woodworking and performing magic. Bill was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He is survived by his wife Jerrie, and their two children - daughter Alana, a legal assistant who lives in Statesboro, and son James, a track worker with CSX, and his wife Veronica who live in Dallas and two grandsons, Ethan and Elijah. Express condolences at www.wagesandsons.com.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 25, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for William Baughman

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Andrea Trimm

January 19, 2021

Bill Baughman was the best supervisor (Deputy Commissioner) an employee could wish for. In many ways Mr. Baughman is responsible for me becoming a "professional employee" as opposed to someone ending up in a clerical arena. He let me exchange one year of training for one year of a professional status. He cared about all of his employees. He made up laugh with his corny magical tricks, he cared. I am sure his is on the Board of God. Has to be.

January 28, 2012

Jerri, I am deeply sorry to learn of Bill demise. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. Bill has always been a special person to me throughout my career with Corrections. Always there for me when I need help. I am one of his admirers. Be bless! Louvenia Coleman

T Kent

January 27, 2012

Dear Jerri, Alana, Jim and family, I am so sad to hear about Bill, he was the nicest person and fun. Jerri,I know he was your soulmate and I am sending love to you for healing. Love, Trisha

Bethany Smith

January 26, 2012

Alana, I just wanted to say You and your family and in my thoughts and prayers at this time. If there is anything I can ever do please don't hesitate to ask my friend.

Greg Mayo

January 26, 2012

We will miss him dearly.

Renee Phillips

January 25, 2012

When I think of Bill, 800 Peachtree Street immediately comes to mind. Some Good Ole Days of Corrections were lived at that location. Times were much easier back then for government employees and we had some marvelous days in that old building as a staff of corrections employees with hearts and minds full of public service commitments. Bill was always so fashionable with his sweater knotted over his shoulders. The first time I saw him I thought he had just walked off a HOllywood Movie set. He was so trendy and cool. I cherish all the fun times we had at Southern States conferences over the years. Steve and I send our sincerest condolences to the family and we hope that your good memories will help you cope with your pain.

January 25, 2012

Dear Jerrie & Family --

I was saddened to hear of Bill's passing. The last time I saw him was about a year ago at a retirement party for a mutual friend. He looked good and we cracked a few jokes.

What I'll remember most about Bill are two things. First, he had a terrific sense of humor. I don't ever recall an encounter with Bill over the course of the 15 years or so we worked together at DOC which didn't include our laughing about something or someone. He was particularly good at imitating Spanish actors. He had an infectious laugh. The second thing I remember about him was his work ethic. I don't ever remember him doing anything unless it was done as close to perfection as anyone could do it. Bill worked on a number of critical projects at DOC, not the least of which was the total re-planning of the entire management and physcal design of Georgia State Prison at Reidsville. By almost anyone's account, GSP was one of the most violent prisons in this country. By the time Bill's work was finished, it became a national model for how maximum security prisons ought to be designed and operated. And he never accepted anything but professional quality work from those who reported to him.

As evidenced by many of the comments in this book, Bill will be missed by many of those he guided and helped over the years. He was a lot of fun, but first and always, a real professional.

May God bless you and surround you with strength. May Bill's spirit live for eternity.

Chuck Topetzes & Family

Anita Ault

January 25, 2012

Jerrie, my thoughts are with you at this sad time. All of your friends at Rosser are sorry for your loss.

Mitzi & Paul Kellum

January 25, 2012

Everyone that knew Bill had an awesome "Bill" story. I have so many things that I will always be in debt to him for: My first GDC Job, My introduction to SSCA and on and on. Jerrie you are and will stay in my heart and prayers. God's Love be with you during this time.

January 25, 2012

Jerrie & Family,

I was surprised and saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I last saw him about a year ago at a retirement party for a mutual friend. Bill and I worked together for about 15 years at the DOC. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an excellent work ethic. He took on some very difficult projects such as the complete re-design of Georgia State prison in Reidsville and, as a result, helped turn it into a national model. He and I worked very closely together when he was over the Inmate Affairs Unit which was responsible for investigating thousands of inmate grievances and disciplinary appeals. He worked tirelessly to be sure the work done by his investigators was done professionally. I'll miss his sense of humor and his being a stickler for detail. He never compromised on the quality of his work or the work of those who reported to him.

He was one of the "Good Guys."

May God bless you.

Chuck Topetzes & Family

S S

January 25, 2012

So sorry for your loss. May you continue to "draw close to God and he willdraw close to you" James 4:8

Diane Gutierrez

January 25, 2012

You will be missed Bill. The old group has lost a special member.

Mandy Massey

January 25, 2012

Mourning my endure for an evening, but joy comes in the morning. God Bless!

January 25, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Vicki Lehto Courtney

January 25, 2012

Bill, you were a good mentor and a dear friend. Your passing is a loss for all that knew you, then and now. Keep smilin' down on us!

January 25, 2012

Although I did not know him long, knowing him at all I consider a great honor. He was a wonderful, kind, funny man and he will be missed.

Ron Powell

January 25, 2012

I served with Bill in GA D.O.C., for eleven (11) years. I always admired his professionalism, integrity, and public service. God's blessings on the family at this time.

January 25, 2012

I am deeply sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with your family during this difficult time. (2 Corintians 1:3)

Stacy Beasley

January 25, 2012

To know you was to love you and I had the pleasure of doing it. You will be missed greatly. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers

James and Bob

January 25, 2012

So sorry to see you go, you were such a kind and funny man, it was such a pleasure meeting and knowing you. Love and condolences to the family and close friends.

Laura Jones

January 25, 2012

Jerrie, am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful teammate at Corrections. Our Lord God will help you through this time.

Dave Otto

January 25, 2012

I will dearly miss you, my friend, but I will cherish all of the great times we had together. They will always live in my memories.

Sandy Williams

January 25, 2012

Jerrie, darling, no words written in this message or in any message will take away the emptiness & loneliness you are feeling. You have lost the love of your life, your soulmate, your best friend. Bill was loved & respected by everyone who met him, & you can be so proud to have been his wife. My thoughts & prayers continue to be with you & the entire family. God Bless You!! My love, Sandy

Andrea Cooksey

January 25, 2012

My beginnings with Bill Baughman started in February 1976; I started my career with Georgia Department of Corrections. Bill played a large role in my professional life as I transitioned from a secretarial role to an IT Professional. As I think back over the time I knew Bill, I realized it was during the time he was Deputy Commissioner that my job was more than just a job. Even though Bill was a Deputy, I always said he was one of us not them. I retired with 34 years, and during my entire 34 years, he was the best Team Leader Deputy an employee could ask for. He went over and above the call of duty for the employees in his Division (TSD). I have many funny memories that will be forever etched in my mind. And yes, many of those memories involve fellow peers that would be inappropriate to list here. Bill, you do not even know some of these stories; then again you might. I wish now I could have shared so of these stories with you; I look back at these times and smile fondly. Thank you for the dance of my lifetime. Rest in Peace my friend. Jerri, you and Bill rock.

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