Douglas Eugene Barnhill, 82, or lovingly known as “Doogie” passed away peacefully, Wednesday evening, at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia, Georgia. A native of Stilson, Georgia, he spent his life in Savannah. He was preceded in death by the love of his life for 56 years, Josephine Hernandez Barnhill. Also preceded in death were his parents, Willie Douglas Barnhill and Evelyn Barnes Barnhill Williams of Savannah and his sister, Janice Barnhill Breland of Gulfport, Mississippi.
He was a faithful communicant of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and longtime resident of Tybee Island. A graduate of Commercial High School and Armstrong College, he served proudly in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from the Navy he worked in the Mill Technical Division of Union Camp Corporation where he retired after 38 years of dedicated service. He enjoyed traveling with his family, gardening and working in his yard, and spending time with his eight grandchildren. He had the warmest heart and never met a stranger.
Survivors include his son; Stephen D. Barnhill, M.D. of Savannah; his daughter, Maria Barnhill Gibase (Frank Gibase) of Vidalia, Georgia; his eight grandchildren: Stephen, Alyssa, Nicholas and Christopher Barnhill; Frank, Robert, Joseph and Tessa Gibase, his two sisters: Tina Barnhill Berry (Mike) of North Carolina and Donna Barnhill of Savannah as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm with the Rosary Service at 6:00 pm at St. James Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am on Monday, April 25, 2016 at St. James Catholic Church with the Reverend Mark J. Ross officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Pallbearers include Stephen D. Barnhill, Jr., Nicholas Barnhill, Christopher Barnhill, Frank Gibase IV, Robert Gibase, Joseph Gibase, Carlton Blair III, and Jay Dee Jackson, Jr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vidalia Cancer Center, C/O Meadows Health Care Foundation, P.O. Box 1048, Vidalia, Georgia 30475.