Reception, Funeral Service Set for Bill Todd

William (Bill) N. Todd Sr., co-founder, co-chairman and co-executive director of Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, will be remembered at a reception at Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Todd passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 22.

A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church located at 1580 Peachtree St. NW. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Drive SW, in Atlanta.

Todd was born in Sandersville, GA. After his graduation from Emory University in 1952, where he was a member of the Emory Glee Club and the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he served a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army. He walked rice patties in Korea with his fellow soldiers in an effort to disarm underground mines.

Returning from Korea, he began what would turn out to be a 39-year career with Southern Bell, later to become BellSouth, eventually serving as BellSouth District Manager. He chose to make a difference in the community by helping to establish North Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody. 

In 1976, he married Martha Sutton Todd and began another community mission. Encouraged by Dr. Jim Collins of Peachtree Christian Church and Gwinnett developer D. Scott Hudgens, Todd supervised the construction of Peachtree Christian Hospice, which was funded by donations from Hudgens and his family. Todd was named president of Peachtree Christian Hospice Inc. and co-chairman of its board of directors. 

Over the years, Todd furthered the presence of the hospice mission through his support of the Gwinnett Hospital System, American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Duluth Fall Festival, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Duluth Merchants Association, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Through two significant donations by the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, the future expansion of Peachtree Christian Hospice is to be dedicated to Bill and Martha Todd.

Todd is survived by his wife Martha and their five children: Caron DuRant, (husband, Dr. Jimmy DuRant); William N. Todd Jr.; David Todd (wife, Teri Todd); Pam LaVangie (husband, Gregg LaVangie); and Elaine Arnett, (husband, Bruce Arnett). Other survivors include their nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peachtree Christian Hospice, 3430 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, GA 30096.