William Edward “Bill” Truman, III

William Edward (“Bill”) Truman III of Roswell, GA, passed away on September 15, 2026, aged 75, following a years-long battle with cancer, waged quietly and mostly in private.

Born August 18, 1951, in Washington, DC, Bill was the only child of the late William Edward Truman Jr. and the late Dorothy Williams Truman. Bill grew up in Maryland before heading south to attend Clemson University, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He continued his studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), earning a Master of Science in 1976.

Bill began his career in the private sector oil industry in Louisiana, followed by ten years with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He spent the final decades of his career at the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, retiring in 2020. Driven by an exceptionally strong work ethic and a “can do” attitude, Bill was a classic self-starter and a true workhorse. He applied his nationally renowned technical skills to managing complex programs across multiple environmental statutes, furthering the mission of the EPA by overseeing millions of dollars in grant funding, ensuring environmental compliance and leading clean-up efforts in contaminated areas. Throughout his career, Bill was an inspiration to his staff. He took great joy in mentoring younger colleagues, many of whom became close friends. In 2016, he received the EPA Region 4’s Alfreda Freeman Award for First Line Supervisors, an honor he considered his proudest professional achievement.

Bill believed deeply in helping others, a commitment quietly proven by his 25-year history with the American Red Cross. As an exceptionally dedicated donor, he achieved the rare milestone of donating 38 gallons (304 units) of blood products, impacting and saving countless lives.

A proud Eagle Scout in his youth, Bill held a lifelong love for the outdoors, nature and adventure. He was an avid camper, hiker, paddler, and scuba diver who pursued his passions wholeheartedly: hiking along the Appalachian Trail, exploring numerous national parks, participating in Paddle Georgia events and other river adventures, and diving both for pleasure and as a member of the EPA Dive Team. During college, Bill spent a memorable year incognito as the Clemson Tiger mascot and remained a devoted Clemson football fan throughout his life. He appreciated classic cars and was the proud owner of two Alfa Romeos which he lovingly restored. Bill especially enjoyed live music, regularly attending concerts around Atlanta and traveling multiple times to Las Vegas to experience The Sphere.

Eight years ago, Bill embraced a new role with a mixture of delight and bewilderment: “Grandpa Bill” to his partner Andi’s granddaughter, whom he loved dearly as his own. Having never had children of his own, he skipped the parenting tutorials entirely and relished his role as a mischievous companion. He taught her to fly kites and fish and patiently identified each rock she collected, even making concrete aggregate seem like a precious treasure. An accomplished and handy craftsman, he put his skills to work designing and building an intricate cabin retreat for her collection of stuffed animals.

A man of immense compassion and quiet strength, he supported Andi through her own cancer treatment, but he struggled when the roles were reversed and he was the one facing illness. True to his fiercely independent nature, he was private and carefully intentional about what he shared with others.

Bill loved to use the adage, “The older I get, the better I was.” To those who loved him, however, he leaves behind a legacy that proves he was remarkable every step of the way. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his adventurous heart, and his deep devotion to his many friends.

He is survived by his beloved partner, Andrea (“Andi”) Zimmer; her children Charles (Steffi) Zimmer of Germany and Shelby Zimmer of Atlanta; her granddaughter Romy Zimmer; his first cousins, Carol (Delmar) Rife of Maryland and Teri Burns of Alabama; his cousin by marriage, Merle Turner of Texas; and countless friends spread across the country from every stage of his life.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. For those who wish to honor Bill, memorial contributions in his name may be made to your local American Red Cross organization or to a river network conservation group of your choice.