William J. “Bill” Shortt, age 85 of Cornelia, passed away Wednesday, April 07, 2010.
Born in Waycross, Georgia on February 26, 1925, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Shortt. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Lewis Shortt. Bill graduated from Waycross High School in 1942. He attended Georgia Tech prior to serving in the United States Army 517th in the parachute combat division receiving his basic training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. He served June 10, 1943 until November 21, 1945, spending 12 months as a German prisoner of war. He was a member of the parachute intelligence serving as Corporal Technician Fifth Class. Bill received numerous medals including: the Purple Heart, the European African Middle East Campaign and the American Campaign.
After the war in 1948, he graduated from the University of Georgia, where he was a member and Vice President of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega President, Demosthenian Literary Society, Di Gamma Kappa President, X Club President, Gridiron and Biftad. He attended the Wharton School of Finance and Company in 1955.
Bill began his business career at Athens Manufacturing Company, Athens, Georgia in 1948, which was later purchased by Chicopee Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson in 1950. He was transferred to Walhalla, South Carolina, to Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts and to Cornelia in 1959 as Assistant Manager/Plant Manager. Bill was promoted rapidly, eventually holding the title of President of the Lumite Division. In 1973, he became Executive Vice President of Chicopee Manufacturing Company in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he worked until 1977 when he was named Director of Government and Trade Relations for the Southeastern United States .In this position, Bill made his way back to Northeast Georgia where he retired in 1991, having spent 43 years with Johnson and Johnson.
Bill was a consummate civic and church leader. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of First National Bank, now Regions Bank, for 32 years, served on the Board of Directors of Standard Telephone Company and Synthetic Industries. Bill was a long time member of the Habersham airport authority, the very first President of the United Way in Habersham County. Because of his dedication to United Way, the Bill Shortt award is given in his honor each year. Bill served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was the recipient of the Hixson Award, the highest honor bestowed on a member of the Kiwanis Club. Bill has been extremely generous with his time, his talents and his resources at his church, the Cornelia United Methodist Church, where he served in virtually every lay capacity.
Bill and his wife, Lois Johnson Shortt, were married February 01, 1947. Their passion was traveling the world, having visited every continent over a period of 45 years. His other favorite leisure pastime was spending hours on the golf course with his golfing buddies.
He is also survived by one son, Sid Shortt and his wife, Sherry of Helen, Georgia; one daughter, Sylvia Shortt of Whitesburg, Georgia; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are 11:00 am Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the Cornelia United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Charlie Green officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, the American Legion Post #84, the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15 and the Georgia National Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 pm on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cornelia United Methodist Church, PO Box 948, Cornelia, GA 30531 or the Habersham County United Way, Bill Shortt Award, PO Box 572, Cornelia, GA 30531.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.