Dr. William Real, 92, died peacefully at home on May 6, 2018.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Rev. Mark Ross serving as celebrant. Interment with military honors to follow at Westover Memorial Park.
Dr. Real was born in Bunceton, MO. He served with the Navy in World War II and with the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He attended Marquette University and graduated from St. Louis University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Real served as President of the Augusta Dental Society for 2 terms and as President of the Eastern District Dental Society. He also served on the Georgia State Dental Association House of Delegates. He was also involved in establishing the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry.
Dr. Real was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and was President of the School Board of Aquinas High School for 2 years and President of St. Mary on the Hill Parish Council for 2 years. He also served as a lector and an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Mary’s.
The Irish American Heritage Society named Dr. Real’s family the Irish Family of the Year. Dr. Real was named the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Parade in 2006, the same year his wife, Pat Real, was named the Irish Lady of the Year. The Reals received the Bishop Gartland Award from the Diocese of Savannah in 2005.
Survivors include his children, Mary Chapin of Tybee Island, GA, Terry Real (Dale) of Kernersville, NC, William E. (Debbie) Real, Jr., DMD of Martinez, GA, Frances Real of Zionsville, IN, Trisha (Al) Tortorich of Kenner, LA, Anne Daniels (Rick) of Lawrenceville, GA, Kathleen (Bill) Anderson of Odessa, FL, Beth Cibak of Augusta, GA, and Michael (Tricia) Real of Lawrenceville, GA. Additional survivors include 23 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, as well as sister Frances Taylor and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Mackey and Robert Real.
The family requests memorial contributions to be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Avenue, Augusta, GA, 30904 or St. Mary Endowment Fund, c/o 1420 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA, 30904.
A vigil for the deceased will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday evening, May 9, 2018 at Platt’s Crawford Avenue Chapel. The family will receive friends following the vigil until 8:00 PM.