William (Bill) M. Austin

1936 - 2025

William (Bill) M. Austin, 89, resident of Tallahassee, Florida, died peacefully in his sleep on November 1, 2025. He was born on May 10, 1936, to Glades and William Roy Austin in Water Valley, Mississippi. He was one of six children and spent his formative years in Mississippi before joining the Air Force and subsequently moving to Savannah, Georgia, where he met and married his wife of 62 years, Barbara Anne Smith Austin.

William (Bill) enjoyed a distinguished career in the banking industry in Savannah, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina. He made notable contributions to C&S Bank and Bank of America and was a founding executive officer and organizer of First Chatham Bank.

He was an elder at the Independent Presbyterian Church, and he loved serving the Lord every day of his life. He lived his life caring for others, encouraging those around him, and showing his positive and outgoing personality daily. His love and spirit were very engaging, and he greeted everyone with warmth, kind words, and an incredible smile. No one ever left his presence without feeling inspired by him or through him.

Bill is predeceased by his wife, Barbara Smith Austin, his parents, William and Glades Austin, brothers Jimmy and Barney Austin, and sisters Charlsie Parks, Janie, and Carol Austin. He is survived by a daughter, Renee Austin Ereckson (Jeff); grandsons, Boone and Blake Ereckson; nephews, Bill (Beth) Parks and Robert (Lillian) Parks, Allen Austin, David (Stephanie) Austin, Powell (Ellen) Smith, Ted (Jennifer) Smith, and nieces Abby (Brad) Miller, Margaret McLennan, Marilyn (John), Calhoun, Carol Anne (Mark) Nail, Julie (Bubba) Sowell, Karen (Mark) Berry, and Kristy Austin Payne.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Friday, November 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull Street. Savannah, Georgia 31401, or Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32308.