William L. Ragan DMD

William L. Ragan, DMD
November 28, 2021
Hawkinsville, Georgia - On Sunday, November 28th, 2021 a beautiful fall day in Georgia, Dr. William Ragan attended church as was his custom. He led the choir services and spoke of a passage from Psalms 90, verse 10 about the years that man is given. He then mentioned that classic hymn I'll Fly Away as one of his favorites. After services he returned home and tended to his wife. She laid down for a brief nap and he went into the den. Just before noon, still in his Sunday best, and in the quiet of the morning, he sat down in his chair never to stand again.
Billy, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Henderson during the Depression. His early childhood was spent in the war years and like many of his generation those experiences would shape his perspective for years to come. Like others of his time, he saw electricity and plumbing placed in his home where there had been none, and he witnessed the great progress and problems of the postwar years.
From infancy he was raised in the church and was a devout Southern Baptist. Attending church, listening to sermons and gospels were perhaps his greatest pleasures. Throughout his life he was a student of the Bible and labored to understand, interpret and apply its many lessons to his life. Like all people of introspection, he struggled with that basic choice of the best manner to serve his Creator, through service to self, or service to others. For those who knew him he could be difficult at times as he heard the music within and not without. He breathed, walked and lived to a unique calling that was not always shared by his family. His convictions were deliberate and firm. As one once remarked, 'The mule has not been born more stubborn than Billy Ragan'.
That being said, his intentions were never in doubt. He meant to do the right thing, the fair thing, and the good thing every time. He never meant any harm, ill will, or offense to anyone, and rarely expressed any anger. He was warm, friendly and had a charming demeanor. Billy had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed harmless pranks, and was not embarrassed to laugh at himself. He avoided any signs of pretension and wished to live a simple life. This applied to all aspects, from his dress, his manner and his relations with others. He did his best to avoid, sometimes to his own detriment, physicians, lawyers, and other professionals that would 'complicate his life'. His frugal habits were well known to all, but he could be generous when prompted. Billy was intelligent, possessed of a fine mind and was well educated. He was curious about the world around him and even at the last Thanksgiving spent time discussing the Sun, the planets, gravity and fusion with a young nephew. But he was never condescending or arrogant with his knowledge. He wished to avoid conflict and as he frequently said, 'Take the easy way out'. In his later years he was able to visit Israel and the Holy Land on several occasions which brought him much contentment.
From his father he had an artistic bent and learned to paint signs as a teen. It would serve him well in his teen and early adult years. He used this skill to earn extra income and purchase his first car. In 1956 he graduated from Perry High School and that fall enrolled in LeTourneau University at Longview, Texas. He returned home after one semester and later enlisted in the United States Army. He would serve in the Army Reserve for six years until being honorably discharged. After his initial training he entered Middle Georgia College and studied engineering. He married the former Faith Davis soon thereafter, and had his first daughter. The young family moved to Atlanta when he transferred into Georgia Tech, and he began a co-op position with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. After having another daughter and son, he completed his studies in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Tech. In 1972, when Lockheed downsized, he took the opportunity to return to middle Georgia. He built a new home, took a position with Blue Bird Bus Company and divorced in 1976. He later moved to Warner Robins and began working for Robins Air Force Base. A few years later he decided to change careers and entered the Medical College of Georgia as a dental student. Billy graduated in 1985 and began practicing in underserved areas in rural, south Georgia. Soon thereafter he met his current wife Carolyn and they married. He moved to Hawkinsville and remained there for the rest of his days. He enjoyed his frequent vacations to Florida, and especially watching his cousins Ken and David Ragan race in Nascar. He always fondly remembered his Uncle Preach racing in the 1940s and 1950s. Billy had a life long interest in automobiles and was a talented mechanic. He was also an excellent carpenter, draftsman, painter, plumber, electrician and builder. He enjoyed music and when the Beatles Hey Jude was released in 1968, he was mesmerized by its rhythms and listened to it over and over again. He was as they say, 'A man in full'.
A year ago, he suffered a significant setback in his health. He recovered but understood that his life had been compromised. This past year, with this new awareness, led him to re-evaluate his life and focus more on his relations with his family. He began to get his affairs in order and reached out to many to reaffirm his commitments and love to them. His spirits improved and he came to accept his circumstances and his life. He was reaching for peace and he found it. In the days before he passed, he spent his last Thanksgiving with his children and grandchildren. It was another beautiful fall day in Marietta. He was not far from where he first lived during those early adventures, and he was very happy. He seemed to know his time was nigh and made great efforts to speak with everyone present. He thanked the mother of his two daughters and son for giving him such wonderful children. She welcomed his gratitude and agreed with him. He told all of those present that he loved them, he appreciated them, he was proud of them, and how grateful he was for them being in his life. There were no conflicts, no controversies, no disagreements, just a warm, loving fellowship among family. He finished the afternoon by winning a game of cornhole with his son on his team. Most of those present had forgotten that Billy loved to play horseshoes and was quite good. He was a ringer for cornhole and dominated the game. He brought a focus and intensity not seen in years. He wanted to keep playing but by this time the sun was setting and he wished to return to Hawkinsville. He was reluctant to leave, and we were reluctant to allow him. But he declined an invitation to stay the night, and we slowly parted. In those last moments together, we spoke of our love for each other, we embraced and held each other, and we promised to meet again. They would be our last farewells.
Billy lived his life on his own terms, trying to be the best that he could, and he left the same. We did not always understand him, nor did he always understand us. But he loved us and we loved him. The Sunday that he passed at age 83, he did the things he enjoyed most. He went to church, he led the singing, and he spent time with his wife. And then he quietly, and in peace, flew away. How I wish we all could be so fortunate. In his last act of service he donated his remains to the Medical College of Georgia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts that friends simply donate to the charity of their choice in his name. He would appreciate that. Rather than a funeral, a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Henderson Baptist Church on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 1PM. All family and friends are warmly welcomed. Services will be led by Pastor Mark White of Corinth Baptist Church in Hawkinsville.
Billy was preceded in death by an infant brother, his parents, his beloved grandson, Davis Zinsenheim, his step-daughter, Tammy Becham, his step-nephew, Daryl Lancaster, his step-niece, Jerri Lancaster and sister-in-law, Betty Lancaster. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lancaster Ragan of Hawkinsville; step-daughter, Debra Johnson (Charles) of Centerville; step-son, Tim Becham of Centerville; step-grandchildren; Tabitha Humphrey (Josh) of Atlanta; Ashley White (Byron) and family of Aiken, South Carolina; Ben Becham (Tiffany) of Albany; and Brooke Becham of Centerville. From his side he is survived by brother, Jerry Ragan (Joyce) of Thomasville; nieces; Dee of Thomasville, Donna (Michael) and family of Thomasville, and Amy of Thomasville; brother, Robert Ragan (Nancy) of Duluth and niece, Gerin (Rick) and family of Monroe, nephew, Drew (Kelly) and family of Dawsonville; sister, Farise Bryant (Archie) and nephew, Brenton of Perry; sister, Joyce Wilder of Perry and niece, Heather (Tom) and family of Flowery Branch; nephew, Trey (Jenika) and family of Bloomingdale; sister, Becky Chappell (Johnny) of Dudley; niece, Ansley (Brian) and family of Dudley; niece, Brynne of Dudley; former wife, Faith Davis Jones of Marietta; daughter, Jackie White (Maury) of Lawrenceville; granddaughter, Samantha of Chicago; grandson, Hank of New York; daughter, Penny Zinsenheim (Steve) of Marietta; granddaughter, Madison (Lane) of Denver and son, Bill Ragan (Anjum) of Boston; and other extended family in Georgia, North Carolina and Missouri.