William Aubrey Linton Jr. passed away on December 30, 2025. He was born in Maryland and spent most of his life in Atlanta, Georgia, where he built a life centered on family, discipline, curiosity, and meaningful connection with others.

Bill believed deeply in people. He believed in movement, curiosity, hard work, and in living life fully at every age. To him, anything was possible with consistency, optimism, and effort. He valued health, kindness, family, and connection, and he lived those values quietly and steadily throughout his life.

A good day for Bill did not need much. Hot tea, a warm blanket, and the comfort of knowing things were okay were enough. What truly made his day, though, was connection. A phone call, a visit, or time spent with someone he cared about meant everything to him. He loved to work, go to the gym, and then work some more. He never missed a workout and stayed physically active well into his seventies. His routines were simple but intentional: take care of your body, stay curious, and show up every day.

He found joy in conversation. Friends from the gym stopping by, long talks about life, health, investing, movies, and big ideas, and watching his son work in live music filled him with pride. He had a deep interest in the stock market, lifelong learning, and research around aging and health. Science fiction, storytelling, and books that stretched the imagination were always close at hand.

Bill was a devoted family man. He loved his family above all else and showed it through presence, encouragement, and pride. He was more than a father. He was a best friend, mentor, steady supporter, and a calm source of strength when things felt uncertain.

He was profoundly proud of his children. His oldest son, Scott, held a special place in his heart. Bill never missed a hockey game and encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming an airplane mechanic, always pushing him to believe in himself and aim higher. His oldest daughter, Jody, was a great source of pride. He never missed her hockey or soccer games and offered constant guidance, encouragement, and practical advice. He loved Jody and her husband, Greg, deeply and was overjoyed when they welcomed Annika and Ethan, his first grandchildren, into the world. Being their grandfather meant everything to him.

His son, Willie, was his best friend. Bill was deeply proud of his work, his drive, and his pursuit of his dreams. He attended concerts, met his boss Post Malone, and talked often about how proud he was of the life his son was building. He was immensely proud of his daughter Brittany, whom he taught to play softball from a young age, never missing a game and always cheering her on. Bill loved his daughter Brittany and her husband Glen dearly and took great pride in the family they were building together. He was especially excited as he looked forward to the birth of his granddaughter in February, imagining watching her grow up strong, curious, supported, and surrounded by love.

Bill shared forty years of marriage with his wife Jan, who stood by his side until his final moments. She cared for him with unwavering devotion, especially through his hardest days, including after the family nearly lost him in 2023. Her love, strength, and presence were constant throughout his life.

Those who knew Bill would describe him as curious, disciplined, warm, opinionated, optimistic, and deeply human. He had a rare ability to be calm and reflective in difficult moments while remaining strong and resilient when it mattered most. People felt grounded around him. They felt heard, encouraged, and valued.

He passed on many qualities to those he loved: drive, stubbornness, motivation, curiosity, discipline, kindness, and emotional steadiness. His influence lives on in the values, habits, and resilience of his children.

Bill inspired others to take care of their health, stay curious, believe in themselves, and prioritize relationships. Without saying it outright, he taught that movement matters, curiosity keeps you alive, relationships are everything, and love should always be expressed, not assumed.

He was looking forward to meeting his granddaughter, watching his children continue to grow, and continuing his active and connected life. His hope for his family was simple and clear: live healthy, fulfilled lives, chase your dreams, and stay close to one another.

In his honor, he would want people to call their loved ones, go for a walk, take care of their health, let go of anger and fear, and choose love. He believed in recognizing the creativity and drive in others and letting people know they are seen.

William Aubrey Linton Jr. will be remembered as a loving father, a proud grandfather, a lifelong learner, and a man who believed deeply in people. He was hardworking, strong, a dreamer, and someone who always showed up. His life is a reminder that we are meant to live fully, stay curious, take care of one another, and carry love forward with intention.