William “Bill” Roy Dean, Jr.

William “Bill” Roy Dean, Jr., 84, of Atlanta, Georgia was peacefully ushered into the loving embrace of God on the morning of his birthday, Monday, the 8^th of April 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son and friend to so many individuals and his impact was far-reaching. His joyous, optimistic and energized spirit lit up rooms and filled the hearts and minds of everyone whose lives he touched. Truer words were never spoken to describe Bill as a man who “never met a stranger”-indeed, he endeavored to speak to anyone and everyone, no matter their station in life, with genuine interest. His passing coincided on the same day as a total solar eclipse which is a testament and tribute to the monumentally full, love-filled and sunny life he lived. 

Bill, the fourth child and only son of Mr. William Roy Dean, Sr. and Mrs. Myrtle Bradbury Dean, was born in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital on April 8, 1940. He graduated from Brown High School in 1958 and matriculated to the University of North Georgia Military College in Dahlonega which marked the beginning of his distinguished military career in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1978, culminating in his appointment as an Army Major. Notably, he received the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Ranger School class, an accolade extremely difficult to achieve. Bill then valorously served in two tours in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger, where he successfully commanded troops flying helicopters and was ceremoniously decorated with the following medals: the Distinguished Flying Cross (2), the Bronze Star (2), the US Air Medal- Meritous Achievement (32), the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal (2) and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with the Bronze Star. Additionally, he earned a Ranger Tab, Vietnam Airborne Badge and Royal Thai Aviator Wings. He later earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

Bill would then embark on a prodigious 28-year career from 1977 to 2005 as a civilian financial planner for military families with First Command Financial, formerly known as USPA& IRA. He earned numerous monikers throughout his professional life such as “Mr. Optimism” and “Motivator of the Year” courtesy of his tour de force energy and truly inspirational coaching. As Bill progressed in his career, he thoroughly galvanized and led the Washington, D.C.-area Capitol District in Alexandria, VA to unprecedented financial success. The cornerstone of Bill’s leadership was how beloved he was by many of his dedicated agents whose careers he also personally invested in and nurtured. 

Beyond his myriad achievements and accolades in his military and professional lives, Bill was a one-of-kind dedicated, dutiful and doting husband, father, and grandfather. Bill’s beloved first child and only son, Kevin Craig Dean, DMD, MD was born in 1964, followed by his equally beloved daughter Jaimi Dean Franus in 1966. Bill was introduced to his surviving wife, Rosa Brunette Dean, at the University of Pittsburgh Army ROTC Department where they both worked and she famously warned him that a “Hawk could never be with a Dove” in order to stave off his romantic advances. Little did she realize Bill’s tenacity-they were later married in 1973 and welcomed their first daughter Megan in 1981 and identical twin daughters, Amanda and Ellen in 1983. Bill and Rose just celebrated their 50^th Golden Anniversary together in December 2023 and indeed proved the axiom that “opposites attract.”

Bill was a ferocious fitness and sports fanatic, runner, lifelong alpine and cross-country skier, adrenaline junkie, and avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt and camp. He loved to travel extensively across the globe, eat and experience life merrily and enjoyed meeting new people more than anything. Yes, Bill had “go hard or go home” mentality and was an authentic lover of life who could still marvel at the smallest or greatest of God’s creations even as he advanced in age. While he could present a tough Army Ranger exterior, he truly had a heart of gold and loved animals, and his treasured wife, children and grandchildren more than anything. 

While Bill was a devoted and devout Christian his entire lifespan, it is worth noting that the Judaic faith considers dying on your birthday a blessing and special, and is called “perfect.” The Talmud teaches that Moses died on his 120^th birthday and his life was complete because it started and ended on the same day. It further explains that God calculates and completes the lifespan of a righteous person- dying on your birthday signifies achieving the mission you were born to complete. This beautiful belief in the Jewish tradition truly encapsulates Bill’s lifework and provides comfort and peace to those individuals whose lives he so mightily touched and influenced.

Bill is survived by his wife Rose Brunette Dean and his five children: Kevin Craig Dean, DMD, MD (Carrie) of Pensacola, FL; Jaimi Dean Franus (Keith) of Leesburg, VA; Megan Dean Blaine (Dillon) of Houston, TX; Ellen Dean Johnson (Michael) of Sarasota, FL and Amanda Dean Wiggins (Patrick) of Atlanta, GA. He is survived by his twelve beloved grandchildren: Tyler, Will, Kender, Karsyn, Geffen, Mason, William, Luke, Olivia, George, Leighton and Tanner, who were all a source of consummate pride and joy for him. Bill is also survived by his cherished sister, Delores Dean Davidson of Atlanta. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Myrtle Dean; and his fraternal twin sisters Martha Caroline Dean Hill and Mary Frances Dean Tucker. 

A private Celebration of Life reception for Bill’s family and friends will be hosted on May 19th at Seven Oaks Farm in Senoia, GA and the interment and military memorial service is to be conducted on Monday, the 20^th of May, at ten o’clock in the morning, at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials to honor Bill can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Humane Society in his name.