Cremated with ashes to be scattered.
William Gardner Hembree, age 30, of Winston. GA passed away on July 26, 2023, in West Wendover, Nevada
He was born in Douglas County on June 21, 1993, the son of James and Diane Hembree.
Will's life overflowed with adventures, pastimes, awards, and accomplishments. He was a plantsman, a hiker, a music lover, a scholar, a scientist, an athlete, an annoying and amazing little brother, a loving son, a goofy and awesome uncle, and a thoughtful friend.
He had a sharp and curious mind, and he was always a great student; if not for that one art class (ART?!) he would have graduated Alexander High School with straight A's.
His dad made sure he got a healthy dose of the outdoors by putting Will in Boy Scouts like his older brothers before him. He participated in countless backpacking trips, river cleanups, Order of the Arrow ceremonies, and service projects before earning his Eagle Scout rank in 2011. He also went on two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, one as a Scout and one as a junior leader.
Will didn't know it when he was younger, but he was destined to become a plantsman. Raised by two horticulturalists, his education began immediately in the gardens and woods around the family home. He went on more garden tours than any child ever should, including a two-week whirlwind around the UK with his family in Spring of 2005 right before he turned 12. He began his formal training in Athens, GA where he
graduated with a degree in horticulture University of Georgia. During his time at UGA, he conducted research on watermelon seed traits as well as cyclin genes in developing apple fruit (and won 1st place at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, Honors category!), worked at the Trial Gardens and UGArden, completed a summer internship at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and School of
Horticulture in Ontario, and was the president of the Horticulture Club at UGA.
After graduating from UGA, Will was selected for the prestigious Garden Club of America/Royal Horticulture Society Interchange Fellowship. During this year in the UK, he worked his way through RHS gardens including Wisley, Kew Garden, and the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden. He was particularly chuffed to man the RHS Plant of the Year stand at the 103rd Chelsea Flower Show, where 25 of the best new plants of the
year were displayed for the public to see.
He continued his education upon returning to the states, earning a master's degree in horticulture at NC State. While in North Carolina, Will's passion for botanizing began to blossom, and he spent many summer weekends scouring the Blue Ridge Parkway for
enchanting plants. After graduating, he combined his love of hiking and plants and hiked the Appalachian trail with his dad over seven glorious months in 2019. His interest in conservation was solidified with stints at Longwood Gardens where he oversaw plant trial and evaluation programs and at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where he was the senior conservation horticulturalist caring for rare plant greenhouses and propagation.
He most recently (April 2023) took a position with the Great Basin Institute in Nevada studying the effects of controlled burn regimens on native and invasive flora in Sage Grouse habitats. He spent these past few months exploring the American Southwest in his downtime and documenting every bit of it.
Will was everything he saw and loved in nature. Delicate and beautiful as the smallest flower, wise as the oldest tree. His voicemail says "Hi. This is Will, I'm deep in the woods…" and that's where he loved to be. Any of us would be lucky to get to walk in the woods with him again someday. Here's hoping.
He is survived by his parents; his brothers Ned (Sarah) and Clay (Catheryn), as well as seven nieces and nephews: Noah, James, Alice, Jacob, Everett, Graham, and Mae; and his grandmother Avis Hembree, and girlfriend Anna and their dog.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doug Hembree and his grandparents,
Ralph and Gladys Hembree, all of whom are buried at Glenn Memorial Gardens, Villa Rica, GA.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. and will be followed immediately by the Memorial Service at J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home in Villa Rica with the Rev. Ronnie Puckett officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that you plant a tree or donate to the Carroll County Master Gardener's Scholarship fund in memory of William.
William Gardner Hembree, age 30, of Winston. GA passed away on July 26, 2023, in West Wendover, Nevada
He was born in Douglas County on June 21, 1993, the son of James and Diane Hembree.
Will's life overflowed with adventures, pastimes, awards, and accomplishments. He was a plantsman, a hiker, a music lover, a scholar, a scientist, an athlete, an annoying and amazing little brother, a loving son, a goofy and awesome uncle, and a thoughtful friend.
He had a sharp and curious mind, and he was always a great student; if not for that one art class (ART?!) he would have graduated Alexander High School with straight A's.
His dad made sure he got a healthy dose of the outdoors by putting Will in Boy Scouts like his older brothers before him. He participated in countless backpacking trips, river cleanups, Order of the Arrow ceremonies, and service projects before earning his Eagle Scout rank in 2011. He also went on two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, one as a Scout and one as a junior leader.
Will didn't know it when he was younger, but he was destined to become a plantsman. Raised by two horticulturalists, his education began immediately in the gardens and woods around the family home. He went on more garden tours than any child ever should, including a two-week whirlwind around the UK with his family in Spring of 2005 right before he turned 12. He began his formal training in Athens, GA where he
graduated with a degree in horticulture University of Georgia. During his time at UGA, he conducted research on watermelon seed traits as well as cyclin genes in developing apple fruit (and won 1st place at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, Honors category!), worked at the Trial Gardens and UGArden, completed a summer internship at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and School of
Horticulture in Ontario, and was the president of the Horticulture Club at UGA.
After graduating from UGA, Will was selected for the prestigious Garden Club of America/Royal Horticulture Society Interchange Fellowship. During this year in the UK, he worked his way through RHS gardens including Wisley, Kew Garden, and the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden. He was particularly chuffed to man the RHS Plant of the Year stand at the 103rd Chelsea Flower Show, where 25 of the best new plants of the
year were displayed for the public to see.
He continued his education upon returning to the states, earning a master's degree in horticulture at NC State. While in North Carolina, Will's passion for botanizing began to blossom, and he spent many summer weekends scouring the Blue Ridge Parkway for
enchanting plants. After graduating, he combined his love of hiking and plants and hiked the Appalachian trail with his dad over seven glorious months in 2019. His interest in conservation was solidified with stints at Longwood Gardens where he oversaw plant trial and evaluation programs and at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where he was the senior conservation horticulturalist caring for rare plant greenhouses and propagation.
He most recently (April 2023) took a position with the Great Basin Institute in Nevada studying the effects of controlled burn regimens on native and invasive flora in Sage Grouse habitats. He spent these past few months exploring the American Southwest in his downtime and documenting every bit of it.
Will was everything he saw and loved in nature. Delicate and beautiful as the smallest flower, wise as the oldest tree. His voicemail says "Hi. This is Will, I'm deep in the woods…" and that's where he loved to be. Any of us would be lucky to get to walk in the woods with him again someday. Here's hoping.
He is survived by his parents; his brothers Ned (Sarah) and Clay (Catheryn), as well as seven nieces and nephews: Noah, James, Alice, Jacob, Everett, Graham, and Mae; and his grandmother Avis Hembree, and girlfriend Anna and their dog.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doug Hembree and his grandparents,
Ralph and Gladys Hembree, all of whom are buried at Glenn Memorial Gardens, Villa Rica, GA.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. and will be followed immediately by the Memorial Service at J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home in Villa Rica with the Rev. Ronnie Puckett officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that you plant a tree or donate to the Carroll County Master Gardener's Scholarship fund in memory of William.
Cremated with ashes to be scattered.
William Gardner Hembree, age 30, of Winston. GA passed away on July 26, 2023, in West Wendover, Nevada
He was born in Douglas County on June 21, 1993, the son of James and Diane Hembree.
Will's life overflowed with adventures, pastimes, awards, and accomplishments. He was a plantsman, a hiker, a music lover, a scholar, a scientist, an athlete, an annoying and amazing little brother, a loving son, a goofy and awesome uncle, and a thoughtful friend.
He had a sharp and curious mind, and he was always a great student; if not for that one art class (ART?!) he would have graduated Alexander High School with straight A's.
His dad made sure he got a healthy dose of the outdoors by putting Will in Boy Scouts like his older brothers before him. He participated in countless backpacking trips, river cleanups, Order of the Arrow ceremonies, and service projects before earning his Eagle Scout rank in 2011. He also went on two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, one as a Scout and one as a junior leader.
Will didn't know it when he was younger, but he was destined to become a plantsman. Raised by two horticulturalists, his education began immediately in the gardens and woods around the family home. He went on more garden tours than any child ever should, including a two-week whirlwind around the UK with his family in Spring of 2005 right before he turned 12. He began his formal training in Athens, GA where he
graduated with a degree in horticulture University of Georgia. During his time at UGA, he conducted research on watermelon seed traits as well as cyclin genes in developing apple fruit (and won 1st place at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, Honors category!), worked at the Trial Gardens and UGArden, completed a summer internship at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and School of
Horticulture in Ontario, and was the president of the Horticulture Club at UGA.
After graduating from UGA, Will was selected for the prestigious Garden Club of America/Royal Horticulture Society Interchange Fellowship. During this year in the UK, he worked his way through RHS gardens including Wisley, Kew Garden, and the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden. He was particularly chuffed to man the RHS Plant of the Year stand at the 103rd Chelsea Flower Show, where 25 of the best new plants of the
year were displayed for the public to see.
He continued his education upon returning to the states, earning a master's degree in horticulture at NC State. While in North Carolina, Will's passion for botanizing began to blossom, and he spent many summer weekends scouring the Blue Ridge Parkway for
enchanting plants. After graduating, he combined his love of hiking and plants and hiked the Appalachian trail with his dad over seven glorious months in 2019. His interest in conservation was solidified with stints at Longwood Gardens where he oversaw plant trial and evaluation programs and at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where he was the senior conservation horticulturalist caring for rare plant greenhouses and propagation.
He most recently (April 2023) took a position with the Great Basin Institute in Nevada studying the effects of controlled burn regimens on native and invasive flora in Sage Grouse habitats. He spent these past few months exploring the American Southwest in his downtime and documenting every bit of it.
Will was everything he saw and loved in nature. Delicate and beautiful as the smallest flower, wise as the oldest tree. His voicemail says "Hi. This is Will, I'm deep in the woods…" and that's where he loved to be. Any of us would be lucky to get to walk in the woods with him again someday. Here's hoping.
He is survived by his parents; his brothers Ned (Sarah) and Clay (Catheryn), as well as seven nieces and nephews: Noah, James, Alice, Jacob, Everett, Graham, and Mae; and his grandmother Avis Hembree, and girlfriend Anna and their dog.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doug Hembree and his grandparents,
Ralph and Gladys Hembree, all of whom are buried at Glenn Memorial Gardens, Villa Rica, GA.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. and will be followed immediately by the Memorial Service at J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home in Villa Rica with the Rev. Ronnie Puckett officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that you plant a tree or donate to the Carroll County Master Gardener's Scholarship fund in memory of William.
William Gardner Hembree, age 30, of Winston. GA passed away on July 26, 2023, in West Wendover, Nevada
He was born in Douglas County on June 21, 1993, the son of James and Diane Hembree.
Will's life overflowed with adventures, pastimes, awards, and accomplishments. He was a plantsman, a hiker, a music lover, a scholar, a scientist, an athlete, an annoying and amazing little brother, a loving son, a goofy and awesome uncle, and a thoughtful friend.
He had a sharp and curious mind, and he was always a great student; if not for that one art class (ART?!) he would have graduated Alexander High School with straight A's.
His dad made sure he got a healthy dose of the outdoors by putting Will in Boy Scouts like his older brothers before him. He participated in countless backpacking trips, river cleanups, Order of the Arrow ceremonies, and service projects before earning his Eagle Scout rank in 2011. He also went on two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, one as a Scout and one as a junior leader.
Will didn't know it when he was younger, but he was destined to become a plantsman. Raised by two horticulturalists, his education began immediately in the gardens and woods around the family home. He went on more garden tours than any child ever should, including a two-week whirlwind around the UK with his family in Spring of 2005 right before he turned 12. He began his formal training in Athens, GA where he
graduated with a degree in horticulture University of Georgia. During his time at UGA, he conducted research on watermelon seed traits as well as cyclin genes in developing apple fruit (and won 1st place at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, Honors category!), worked at the Trial Gardens and UGArden, completed a summer internship at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and School of
Horticulture in Ontario, and was the president of the Horticulture Club at UGA.
After graduating from UGA, Will was selected for the prestigious Garden Club of America/Royal Horticulture Society Interchange Fellowship. During this year in the UK, he worked his way through RHS gardens including Wisley, Kew Garden, and the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden. He was particularly chuffed to man the RHS Plant of the Year stand at the 103rd Chelsea Flower Show, where 25 of the best new plants of the
year were displayed for the public to see.
He continued his education upon returning to the states, earning a master's degree in horticulture at NC State. While in North Carolina, Will's passion for botanizing began to blossom, and he spent many summer weekends scouring the Blue Ridge Parkway for
enchanting plants. After graduating, he combined his love of hiking and plants and hiked the Appalachian trail with his dad over seven glorious months in 2019. His interest in conservation was solidified with stints at Longwood Gardens where he oversaw plant trial and evaluation programs and at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where he was the senior conservation horticulturalist caring for rare plant greenhouses and propagation.
He most recently (April 2023) took a position with the Great Basin Institute in Nevada studying the effects of controlled burn regimens on native and invasive flora in Sage Grouse habitats. He spent these past few months exploring the American Southwest in his downtime and documenting every bit of it.
Will was everything he saw and loved in nature. Delicate and beautiful as the smallest flower, wise as the oldest tree. His voicemail says "Hi. This is Will, I'm deep in the woods…" and that's where he loved to be. Any of us would be lucky to get to walk in the woods with him again someday. Here's hoping.
He is survived by his parents; his brothers Ned (Sarah) and Clay (Catheryn), as well as seven nieces and nephews: Noah, James, Alice, Jacob, Everett, Graham, and Mae; and his grandmother Avis Hembree, and girlfriend Anna and their dog.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doug Hembree and his grandparents,
Ralph and Gladys Hembree, all of whom are buried at Glenn Memorial Gardens, Villa Rica, GA.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. and will be followed immediately by the Memorial Service at J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home in Villa Rica with the Rev. Ronnie Puckett officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that you plant a tree or donate to the Carroll County Master Gardener's Scholarship fund in memory of William.
