Dr. William Derwood Allen

Dr. William Derwood Allen, DVM, 80, passed away on March 24, 2013, at home on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, having resided in Gwinnett County, Georgia prior to his retirement. Bill was born on November 30, 1932, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Charles H. Allen and Mary Frances Gober Allen Compton. He grew up in DeKalb County, Georgia, graduating from Lithonia High School, Class of 1950, North Georgia College, and the University of Georgia, with an undergraduate degree in Agriculture, and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1957. He was a member of the Eta Chapter of Omega Tau Sigma and the American Veterinarian Medical Society. Following graduation, Bill worked in Oakridge, Tennessee, until he established his first veterinary hospital, Doraville Animal Hospital. He subsequently expanded his practice and opened Pleasant Hill Animal Hospital and Medlock Bridge Animal Hospital in Gwinnett County. Dr. Allen is survived by his spouse, Christina, his devoted wife of 27 years; his daughters Sabrina Allen Tatum, Gainesville, Georgia, Kimberly Allen Perea Roberts, Cumming, Georgia, and his son, John Charles Allen, Savannah, Georgia; his sisters, Frances Jayne Allen Irminger, Decatur, Georgia, Mary Charles Allen Cleere, Rabun Gap, Georgia, and step-sister, Kaye Compton, Cartersville, Georgia; his step-brother, Bill Compton, Chesterfield, Missouri; his grandchildren, Christina Tatum, Samantha Tatum-Bishop, Lauren Perea Gonzales, and Courtney Perea; great-grandchild Summer Cassidy Bishop. Additionally, Bill maintained contact with colleagues, friends, and beloved cousins from his formative years of the '40s, '50s, and beyond, relishing those valued connections from the past. In addition to Bill's professional proficiency, his talents included skilled woodworking, mechanical expertise, and his life-long aptitude for aviation, obtaining his instrument rating in 1980 and flying most recently a Lightning Sportplane, during his retirement on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Following cremation, the family will hold a private burial. A memorial service will be held at A. S. Turner Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia, 30033 on Saturday, April 6, 2013 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.asturner.com http://www.asturner.com. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at 10:00 a.m., prior to the memorial service, and at Bill's earlier suggestion with his usual attention to details, Please request that the guests come in casual attire. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Cornerstone Club of the United Methodist Children's Home, 500 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, Georgia, 30030 or to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.



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