William J. Daniels

William “Bill” Daniels of Jonesboro, Georgia passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the age of 92. After some weeks of declining health, he died peacefully in the early morning at St. Vincent’s Hospital of St Johns, Florida. During his preceding days at the hospital, he was surrounded by his beloved children and grandchildren, as well as friends and family members over-the-phone. He shared hugs, kisses, loving words, prayers, music, dancing, and, of course, many corny jokes while in his hospital room. 

Bill Daniels was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1932 to Charles and Gertrude Dangolovich (née Dietrich). He was the youngest of four children. His siblings Gertrude, Vince and Charles were all 15, 13 and 11 years older than him. Bill grew up during The Great Depression, and often shared stories of the difficulties they endured because of that, but also always spoke fondly of his parents and siblings. 

Bill was drafted into the military at age 18 and served as a heavy weapons soldier for 3 years at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He enjoyed serving his country and later went on to serve in the US Army for the next 30 years, moving his family a total of 17 times. Bill served in the Chaplain Corps and was responsible for creating the MOS “71M5H Chapel Activities Specialist” position. He became the first Senior Chaplain Assistant to obtain the rank of Sergeant Major and he retired as one of the longest serving Sergeant Majors in the US Army. The majority of his military career was spent in various posts in Germany during The Cold War. He also served a year in Korea, and a year during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War. 

During his first assignment in Berlin, Germany, he met the love of his life, Helga. With the blessing of Helga’s parents (Willi and Elsa Keihn), Bill and Helga were married in Berlin, Germany on November 19, 1955. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage and were blessed with 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Bill retired from the military in 1983. He and Helga returned to Jonesboro, Georgia and bought their forever home that they lived in for almost 40 years. After retiring, Bill used his GI Bill benefits to earn his AA degree in Journalism and proudly served as the associate editor of the school newspaper at Clayton State University. 

Bill and Helga shared a love of traveling and traveled all over the world together. They especially enjoyed cruises and several trips to Hawaii, but always returned home to their many friends and to serve at and be served by their local church that they loved so fondly, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. After Helga passed in October 2017, Bill continued to live in Jonesboro for a few more years until March 2021, when he moved to Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home in St. Augustine, Florida, where he lived close to his Florida family for the past three years. He continued to make dear friends at Lassen, was involved in many activities including writing in the Lassen newsletter, and was supported in his faith by local churches and organizations. 

William “Bill” Daniels was preceded in death by his wife, Helga Daniels, his three siblings, and his grandson, Zachary Daniels. He is survived by his children: Barbara Richards, Raymond Daniels and Annemarie “Mitzi” Kotziers (husband Bill Kotziers); his grandchildren: Brian Arnett, Stephanie Richards, Brianna Jackson, Steven Richards, Josh Daniels, Melissa Kotziers, and Michaela Kotziers; and great-grandchildren: Nolan Arnett, Freyja Arnett, Olivia Jackson, Mila Jackson and Oliver Arnett.

A funeral mass for William “Bill” Daniels is planned for Monday, November 25th at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church (591 Flint River Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30238). A lunch reception will be held afterward in the church hall. The burial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Honey Creek Woodlands (2625 GA-212, Conyers, GA 30094). All are invited to attend. 

 In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor his lifelong commitment to his Catholic faith, as well as to military veterans, you may make donations to the EWTN Global Catholic Network at: https://missions.ewtn.com/donation/love-and-understanding/ and/or to the Wounded Warrior Project at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246.

An Honor Walk in Bill's honor will be held at Clyde E. Lassen Veteran's Nursing Home on Friday, September 27th at 3:00PM. A reception will follow at the nursing home, all are welcome to attend. 4650 FL HWY 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092