William Mallard

William Mallard Jr was the son of William Mallard Sr. and Carrie Lou Born Mallard, of Atlanta, GA, Bill was born in New York City, baptized at Christ Methodist, and attended Columbia Grammar School in Manhattan through the eighth grade. He moved to Richmond, VA where he was a member of Reveille United Methodist Church and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He attended Randolph-Macon College, graduating in 1949 as a Murray Medalist. He did his graduate work as a Dempster Fellow of the United Methodist Church at Duke University, graduating with a Ph.D. in Religion in 1956. He began his teaching career at Sweet Briar College in 1955. In 1957, he was ordained elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church and appointed to teach at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, as a professor of church history. When he retired in 2000 after 43 years, Bill was the longest-serving faculty member in Candler's history, a mark that still stands. He was the only Candler faculty to win the University wide Thomas Jefferson Award. He also was awarded the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award and the Candler School's Centennial Medal. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gatra, his brother, Cole, his children Reid, Winn and Rob, his daughter-in-laws Alison and Karen, his grandchildren, Charlie, Chapman, Bo, Edison and Elena Gatra, his brother-in-law, Bob Reid and wife Joan, his sister-in-law Kathy, and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Bill and Gatra's cherished congregation at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, where the Mallard's have been members since 1963 and Bill taught Sunday school for many years, will celebrate his life on January 3 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. A graveside service, also on January 3rd, will be at Westview Cemetery at 11 a.m. Memorial gifts can be made in his name to the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30322, http://candler.emory.edu/development/ways-to-give/index.cfm. Bill was a man of genuine humility, fine intellect, great humor, and a deep commitment to his faith, his family, and his teaching ministry. His voice whether speaking, singing or responding was a gift to all who knew him and will echo throughout his broad community for years to come.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033