Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SR 706: Hembree, Bill; condolences

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 5, 2026 · Passed

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Senate Resolution 706

By: Senators Bearden of the 30th, Brass of the 6th and Anavitarte of the 31st

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and memory of Bill Hembree; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Bill Hembree on January 15, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Bill Hembree was born on March 8, 1966, in Villa Rica, Georgia, a beloved son of Herman Aubrey Hembree and Monta Raye Buchanan Hembree; and

WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Beth, and was blessed with three remarkable children, Will, Thomas, and Miles; and

WHEREAS, a 1984 graduate of Douglas County High School, Bill served as State DECA President during his senior year and went on to serve as National DECA President, demonstrating exceptional leadership at an early age; and

WHEREAS, he was a lifelong learner with a global perspective, studying at the University of Oslo in Norway, participating in Semester at Sea through the University of Pittsburgh, and serving as a Rotary Scholar in Scotland; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Bill founded Hembree Insurance Agency and grew it into a successful three-office business over two decades, built on principles of integrity, service, and community trust; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bill Hembree faithfully served with the Georgia House of Representatives from 1992-2012, holding distinguished roles including Chairman of Higher Education and Chairman of the Rules Committee, where he worked tirelessly to improve Georgia's higher education system and honorably served the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, Bill and his wife Beth established the Bill Hembree Scholarship with the National DECA Program to support and encourage future student leaders, continuing his lifelong dedication to education and leadership development; and

WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Bill Hembree will long be remembered for his visionary leadership, commitment to public service, love of learning, and enduring impact on the State of Georgia and the many lives he touched.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Bill Hembree and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Bill Hembree.