William H. “Bill” Raper, age 79, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
Mr. Raper was born March 13, 1944, in Habersham County, Georgia, to the late Douglas Harrison “DH” and Mary Raper. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas “Pete” Raper. A member of Level Grove Baptist Church, Bill’s life was marked by a deep commitment to his community and a passion for service. Bill began his career as a teenager in his father’s grocery store store, which led him to a full career in the grocery industry. In his early years, he exemplified courage and selflessness as a volunteer fireman with the Cornelia Fire Department, where he also served as a rescue diver. Bill was a charter member of the Joseph Habersham Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). For the past 25 years, he served as the registrar and had previously held the position of chapter president. His contributions extended to the state level, where he was actively involved in the Georgia Sons of the American Revolution, earning numerous awards and recognition for his unwavering commitment. Bill took great pride in supporting the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in Habersham, White, and Stephens counties through his affiliation with the SAR. In recognition of his exceptional community service and dedication the genealogy research, the Clarkesville Library Heritage Room was dedicated and renamed in Bill’s honor as the “William H. Raper Heritage Room” in the fall of 2017. His accomplishments were further recognized in February 2020 when the Georgia Senate bestowed upon him a Resolution in honor of his hard work and dedication.
Beyond his civic achievements, Bill was an avid coin collector. However, his most cherished roles were as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His grandchildren affectionately knew him as “Papa Bill,” a title he wore with pride.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Gail Meeks Raper; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Karen Raper, of Alto; daughter, Julie Raper Hamby, of Cornelia; grandchildren, James Raper, of Mayesville; Lauren Raper, of Lula; sister, Sue Roach, of Cornelia; brother, Victor Raper, of Gainesville; and numerous nieces and nephews as well.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Level Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Brian James and Rev. Terry Rice officiating. Interment will follow in the Level Grove Cemetery with mourn muskets provided by the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2024 at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.
The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Jamie Raper, Ricky McEntire, Jason Chester, Shay Smith, Pat Simmons, Eric Meeks, and Kyle Meeks.
Members of the Chapters of GSAR are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers and should assemble at the church at 2:30 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Level Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 416, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.
