William Samuel Pharr

William Samuel Pharr passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 27, 2025, after a short illness, near his home in Madison, Georgia.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane Chambers Pharr, daughter Leah Pharr, son John Pharr (fiancée Tatum Bass), brother Royce Pharr (Betsy), brothers-in-law Charles Chambers and Thomas Chambers (Lisa), sister-in-law Marjorie McKenna (David), and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Kelly and Aurelia Pharr, brothers John and Philip Pharr, and sons William Samuel Jr. and Thomas Philip Pharr.

Will was born on February 27, 1948 and raised in Decatur, Georgia along with his three brothers.  Among his fondest childhood memories are he and his extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins enjoying holidays and summer vacations together in Vienna, Georgia.  He was a graduate of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, earning a degree in Risk Management and Insurance.  He and Diane married in 1984 and had four children together.

Will had a long and distinguished career in Property and Casualty Insurance, beginning with Atlanta’s McCart Group shortly after graduating from UGA.  Later, he was a Founding Partner of the Cook Virden & Pharr Insurance Agency.  In 1988 he started his own agency, W.S. Pharr & Company, which he grew from 5 to 50 employees and operated until 2013, when he sold the company to Broadstreet Partners.  In 2014 he joined Snelling Walters Insurance Agency, retiring in 2021.

He approached the insurance business with innovation and passion, establishing the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association Workers’ Compensation Insurance program as well as similar programs for the oil and convenience store industries.  He was active in many professional associations and served on numerous industry advisory councils throughout his career. 

He was always a mentor, teacher, and friend to his employees and team. He believed in promoting from within and creating an employee- and family-first working environment.  These qualities fostered loyalty from his employees, partners, and clients alike, many of whom continued their relationship with Will throughout the entirety of his 40+ year career.

Will was an avid outdoorsman and an accomplished fly fisherman, sport shooter, and hunter.  He enjoyed teaching these sports to his children on his property near Madison, GA which they transformed over many years from a simple hay farm to a beautiful home that became the center of his family’s life for many years.  He was always kind and generous to everyone he knew, opening his home to friends and relatives and taking great joy in serving as host. He had a witty sense of humor and an infectious laugh and smile.  He enjoyed good food and fine wine. He gave generously of his time and resources to his church. Most of all, Will cherished his wife and children and dedicated his life to providing for them.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10th at 11:00 am at the Madison First United Methodist Church Asbury Sanctuary, in Madison, Georgia.  The family will receive friends at the reception following the service in the Asbury Gathering Room.  In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Madison First United Methodist Church (www.madisonfumc.com) or Camp Twin Lakes (www.camptwinlakes.org).

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