William Henry MCLEMORE, 81, a life long resident of Montgomery, died unexpectedly and peacefully at home on February 9, 2011. He was predeceased by his parents Andrew Jackson McLemore and Mary Ledyard Oliver McLemore, and his brother Thomas Oliver McLemore. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Cook McLemore, his brother Andrew Jackson McLemore, Jr. and sister-in- law Joy McGlynn McLemore. He is survived by his children, Bill McLemore (Marianne), Laura McLemore Thames (Johnny), Jimmy McLemore (Laura), and Sam McLemore (Nadine), their eight grandchildren, William McLemore (Meredith), Elizabeth McLemore Martiniere (Tommy), Catherine Thames, Ann Thames Chambliss (Chase), James McLemore, Jr., John Patrick McLemore, Bonner McLemore, Clark McLemore, and many cousins and family. Billy McLemore was a fifth generation Montgomery cotton farmer. He made his life's work cultivating the family's farm which was settled around Mitylene in 1817. Born on June 28, 1929 and raised on the farm east of Montgomery, Billy graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and went on to Auburn University where he received an agricultural degree and a commission as second lieutenant in United States Army, Field Artillery. After two years of Army service, including a stint in Japan during the Korean War, Billy returned in 1953 to family and farm. Upon graduation from Auburn in 1951, he and Ruth Cook married, continuing their romance from high school that lasted all their lives. After retirement in 1984, Billy turned his agrarian know-how to roses in his backyard, which for years brought pleasure to many across Montgomery. With his father's wit and his mother's charm, Billy endeared himself to many groups and friends he loved. His service upon governing boards included: The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Landmarks Foundation, Capitol City Kiwanis Club of which he was a founder, and the Montgomery Country Club where he was president. He was a founding member of Auburn University Montgomery and was a member of The Thirteen. He treasured his faith, formed at St. John's Episcopal Church where he was baptized as an infant and he later served upon the Vestry, as Treasurer, and as Senior Warden. His many interests were not so much about the Model A Fords, roses, football, bird shoots, and travel, as they were about the friends he made there. Pall bearers will be Taylor Dawson, Bill Joseph, Arthur Hester, Maultsby Waller, Luther Waller, Mac Walker, Tom Coleman, Sid Coleman, Price McLemore, Larry McLemore, Joe Diehl, Bonner Patrick, Dave Rees, and Frank Rosa. Honorary pall bearers will be the members of The Thirteen.. The family will receive visitors at his home from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. A memorial Service will be held on Sunday February 13, 2011 at St. John's Episcopal Church at 3:00 p.m. For memorials, contributions may be made to the Mary Oliver McLemore Scholarship Fund at St. John's Episcopal Church, which benefits nursing school students at AUM or to your favorite charity.