William "Bill" Robert Harkness

Mr. William “Bill” Harkness, 71, of Ashburn transitioned on Friday, May 19, 2023 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday , May 26, 2023 at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church with Father Peter Oyenugba officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 12:45 P.M Friday, May 26th, 2023 at Albritton Funeral Directors. Following the funeral mass family and friends are welcomed to fellowship with the family at The Harkness family residence in Ashburn.

Mr. Harkness was born on May 7th, 1952, in Atlanta, Georgia at Crawford W. Long Hospital to the late Steve Fargason Harkness and Daisy Bub Ridgeway Harkness.  He was a loving husband, father, papi, brother and a good friend. He always put others happiness in front of his own. There was one constant with Bill Harkness, if you ever came across him talking with past and current friends, or even a complete stranger he was always doing “terrible” with a BIG smile. Bill taught so many of us so many different life lessons, it is hard to count them all.  Every person that was notified of his passing said the same about him and that was he had a personality and charm that could not be resisted by many. Bill was not perfect by any means. He had a serious side that he showed by the jaw muscles flexing in and out on the side of his head or his infamous “stink eye” that he had perfected over the years. Bill also had a sense of pride that helped him achieve his goals in life even when told he would not. He graduated from Georgia Southwestern College with a Bachelors in science. Bill knew how to get the best out of everyone or most everyone. He gave people chances when others would not. He finished his career as a Senior Georgia Division Manager for MCG Utilities. Bill loved to joke, read, watch movies and mow his grass. Mr. Harkness loved his grandchildren and to know him was to love him.

Mr. Harkness is survived by his wife, Maricela Garcia Harkness of Ashburn; his children Estefania (Tiffany), Yazareth (Jeffrey), Ismael (Beth), Samuel, Chad (Sandra) and Kathy; his grandchildren, Zane, Alayna, Emma, Ariana, Penny, Ramses, Billy, Gabby, Semaj, Shunashi and Tiffany ;his great grandchildren, Braxton and Jaxx; his siblings, Joe Harkness (Diana) Sam Harkness (Beth).

He was preceded in death by his brother John Harkness ; his sisters Polly Harris, Peggy Pierce, and Brenda Mae Parker.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in his memory to:  Traditions Health Hospice & Palliative Care at 126 South Access Road, Chula, Ga. 31733 .