William "Bill" Wendell Harpe

William “Bill” Wendell Harpe of Warner Robins, Georgia, was called to be with our Lord on Sunday, January 3, 2021. He was born in Cordele, Georgia, on January 31, 1939, to Mary Ellen Barker Harpe and W. C. Harpe, the second oldest of five children. He was the beloved husband of Margarita Bazan Harpe.

In addition to his parents and his eldest son, William W. “Billy” Harpe II (Luanne), Mr. Harpe was preceded in death by his wife, “Mague” and his brother Barney Wayne Harpe. He is survived by his brothers Robert R. Harpe, Brad Harpe (Cheryl), and Benny Tom Harpe (Mary Ann), and his children, Felicia Lynn Harpe Woodruff (Brett) of Richmond, VA, Mary Ellen Harpe McDougald (Jerry) of Bonaire, GA, Hope Doreen Harpe Sirman of Bonaire, GA, Michael Derek Harpe (Jennifer) of Byron, GA, and ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Bill served in the United States Air Force in Laredo, Texas, where he met and married Mague. Together they demonstrated the strength of a Christian marriage and instilled the love of family, travel, education, and being of service to others. Bill was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins, GA, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His faith and the grace of God strengthened him in facing life’s challenges and directed his path. He worked as a maintenance mechanic for many companies and served in a leadership role in the founding of the Pabst Brewing Company and Continental Can Credit Union, and as a union steward while he was employed with the brewery.

Mr. Harpe was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping, fishing and the great outdoors. Birthdays were special. The whole family looked forward to Mague leading the three-day effort to make enough of the very best tamales to meet family and “key” friends’ needs in celebration of his birthday each year. Mr. Harpe was well loved and loved others unconditionally. His sense of humor, friendship, and strength of character will not be forgotten.

Mr. Harpe will lie in repose on Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A Magnolia Park Cemetery Gravesite Service will be held for Mr. Harpe on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM with Msgr. Fred Nijem, Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, presiding. For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

A funeral Mass and celebration for Bill and Mague will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of McCullough Funeral Home of Warner Robins, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 S. Davis Dr., Warner Robins, GA 31088.