Family and friends join together to celebrate the life of William A. Bloodworth, Jr.
The celebration was streamed live and recorded for people to view online. (video courtesy of Augusta University’s YouTube page.)
By Aaron Smith | Staff writer
A celebration of life event for William A. Bloodworth Jr. was held in the Maxwell Theatre Monday, Sept. 12 as family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes to the president emeritus of Augusta College and Augusta State University.
With laughter and empathy, those who knew him shared their fondest memories of the time they spent with the beloved professor, teacher and family man.
Brooks Keel, president of Augusta University and Clint Bryant, recently retired athletic director, delivered remarks about the president emeritus. A slideshow of photos showing Bloodworth with friends, family and the Augusta community was also shown in the presentation.
The Bluegrass Trio (Will Fletcher, Dan Gaudinier and Ryan Heritage) perform "I'll Fly Away" by Alan Jackson during the Celebration of Life event for William A. Bloodworth in Maxwell Theatre on Monday, Sept. 12. (photo by Aaron Smith)
Bloodworth is well-known for the improvements he made to the Summerville Campus during his tenure as president from 1993-2012, successfully lobbying for the construction of Allgood and University Hall, the Jaguar Student Activities Center (JSAC) and the D. Douglas Bernard Jr. Amphitheatre.
Throughout this time, Joyce Jones, the former Vice President of Student Affairs at the university from 2000-2012, was right by his side. Jones shared a story that emphasized just how much he cared for faculty and students.
“I remember when a student started a fire by falling asleep while cooking chicken. Many students were forced to evacuate for the night, but Bill was there at 2 a.m. with jeans and an ASU t-shirt on, trying to make sure everyone was safe and sound,” she said. “That’s just who he was.”
Sydney Highfield, a senior English major at Augusta University, delivers student remarks during William A. Bloodworth's Celebration of Life event at the Maxwell Theatre on Monday, Sept. 12. (photo by Aaron Smith)
Paul Bloodworth, the son of William Bloodworth, reflected on many memories he had with his father.
In his speech, Paul Bloodworth remembered the unique relationship that he had with his father.
“When learning how to drive, he would take me to learn how to drive in a 1984 Chevy Cavalier in Warrensburg, Missouri. He’s not a lucky draw by an easy road so he would have me come to a full stop on a steep hill to learn how to release the clutch. I would get so frustrated, but he would never get frustrated with me,” he said.
William Bloodworth was also remembered as a caring, compassionate man. For Paul Bloodworth, he hopes to carry the traits of his dad with him.
“He has always been a wonderful father, and I hope that I can be even a fraction of that to my children,” he said. “I’ve had people say that I have similar mannerisms as my dad, and those compliments take on a whole new meaning now. I know that I won’t measure up to the man he was, but it always gives me something to strive for.”
Nicole Bloodworth, the daughter of William Bloodworth, also shared some insight into just how much her father cared for others.
In her speech, she said her father loved nothing more than being with his loved ones.
“I remember when he jacked up the entire back of my house and single handedly rebuilt the foundation underneath,” she said. “He often enjoyed completing such projects, but what he enjoyed most was spending time with those he loved. I really think he fought so long against cancer because he didn’t want to stop being with us.”
Contact Aaron Smith at madsmith@augusta.edu.
