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.