William C. Trapnell

Metter, GA - "Everything's Better in Meter" is the town slogan personified by Bill Trapnell, a quintessential Southern Gentleman who grew up in the small town built by his grandfather where streets are named for aunts, uncles, and other relatives. He graduated from the local schools where he was always active in the arts, plays and the debate team. After high school he studied window display before attending the University of Georgia to study for a Fine Arts degree under Lamar Dodd. While there he did window display for the old Michael Bros. Department Store. World War II interrupted his studies and he joined the Navy in January 1942. The Army had refused him for duty because of "flat feet" but being determined to serve his country, he "held up his arches" when applying at the Navy. He studied to be a Pharmacist Mate. His first assignment was the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL and after a few months, he was transferred to San Francisco to await passage to the South Pacific. Assigned to Mobile Hospital #5, he left on a Liberty Ship that carried all the material and personnel to set up a hospital on a Pacific Island, arriving in New Caledonia, where they cared for wounded Marines. He soon reached the rank of 1st Class Pharmacist Mate and worked assisting surgeons. In his spare time, he planted flowers all around the hospital base. In June 1944, he returned to the States and was assigned to the Fleet Headquarters in Boston before being assigned to independent duty at a Naval Radio Station on the coast of Maine near Bar Harbor. He was discharged in the summer of 1945 and refused a pension because of his strong independent personality. Returning to Metter after the war, he owned and operated a department store, but after five years, he left for New York City to study interior design at Parsons School of Design where classmates were from all over the United States as well as 41 countries. During his study at Parsons, he worked part-time at Lord & Taylor in the display department. Graduating from Parsons in 1954, he sailed for Europe aboard the Il de France for a six month art study tour of Europe, concentrating on England, France and Italy. He arrived in Atlanta in early 1955, working for the old Browne Decorating Company and the Ray Lang Company before opening the Rich's Square design department. He was a charter member of the American Society of Interior Designers and was given an Excellence of Design award by the national president of that organization. In 1960, Bill owned his own design firm in Atlanta, William Trapnell & Associates, Inc. Equally exciting that year was his marriage to Ella Johnson from Orlando, FL originally from Minnesota. They retired to Metter in 1987 where he spearheaded restoration of the Old Depot where his father was depot agent for 50 years. Bill's efforts were recognized by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. He continued design work in Metter visiting Atlanta resources as recently as August. His accomplishments were memorialized in a recnt column by James Wooten of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, headed "It's Worth Leaving The Beaten Path". Bill was the youngest of six children born to Ladd and Maxie Bowen Trapnell. He was predeceased by two infant sisters and a brother, Ernest Trapnell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ella J. Trapnell of Metter; brother, J. Harold Trapnell of Metter; sister, Julia T. Mercer of Vidalia; brother-in-law, Ken Johnson of Madison; nephews, Jimmy Trapnell and Bill Trapnell; nieces, Julie T. Hall, Gail Trapnell, Sandra Holmes, Scotttie Johnson, Clare McFadden, Karen Shoffner and Diana Roman. Funeral service will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Metter United Methodist Church with burial in the Lake Cemetery. A memorial celebration will follow the burial at the Old Depot. Remembrances may be made to the Old Depot, 303 E. Broad St., Metter, GA 30439 or the Metter United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 595, Metter, GA 30439 or charity of your choice. Kennedy Funeral Homes Hooks Chapel, Metter "Family Owned & Operated Savannah Morning News, November 27, 2005 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com