Headstone is memorial to soccer coach
A gray headstone surrounded by flowers sits on the corner of a soccer field at Patriots Park, bearing a message: "Dedicated to the Memory of William B. Guy Jr., 1970-2004. Beloved Coach and Friend, 1991 Columbia County Patriot Boys."
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A headstone sits at the corner of a soccer field at Patriots Park. The headstone is a memorial for William B. Guy Jr., who died July 28, 2004.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Susan Dillard, of Martinez, said the memorial is to remind passers-by of who Guy was.
"We feel William's presence out here," Dillard said. "We wanted a visible reminder for other folks to see when they come to our field."
On Saturday, friends and family met at Patriots Park to celebrate the life of Guy and unveil a headstone in his memory.
The event, which was organized by Dillard, included prayers, a poem, a song and memories about Guy, who died July 28, one day after being pulled from a Glennwood subdivision swimming pool.
"He always strived to do the best for his family and community," said Philip Sines, who said Guy was an assistant coach for his boys soccer team. "He was always a great role model."
Andy Roberts, associate pastor at Lewis Memorial United Baptist Church in Evans, said Guy was a man who had a desire to help people.
"He was willing to share and give up his own life for others," he said.
Kevin Young (from left) stands with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Madison, all of Columbia, next to Debbie Guy during a memorial ceremony for William B. Guy Jr.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Guy was an employee of Columbia County's Waste Water Department.
Police said Guy was playing with his son in the neighborhood swimming pool July 27 when lifeguard Ashley Wilmer, 17, noticed he had not returned to the water's surface. Once he was pulled from the water, Wilmer performed CPR on Guy until emergency officials arrived and rushed him to the hospital.
Widow Debbie Guy tried her best to keep from crying Saturday.
"I didn't expect this to be so emotional," she said with a smile. "The outpouring of love that was shown is overwhelming. It's wonderful to see how many lives he touched."