Funeral Services were held for Deacon Bill Edwards at Corpus Christi Church in Stone Mountain, September 15. Deacon Edwards, 68, died at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur September 12.

Edwards had served at Corpus Christi since his ordination to the permanent diaconate in June 1989. He joined the parish in 1982 when he became a convert to the Catholic faith.

As deacon, he was particularly drawn to family ministry, helping with marriage preparation, baptismal classes and annulment counseling. He was also involved in prison ministry and was one of a group of deacons who acted as master of ceremonies and driver for Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM.

Deacon Edwards, a native of West Virginia, was a retired mortgage underwriter. He had had a heart attack this past May and had been diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago.

Father Charles Kerscher, who received Edwards into the church and remained a close friend and golfing partner, celebrated the funeral Mass, joined by fellow priests and deacons of the archdiocese.

Deacon Edwards is survived by his wife, Peggy, a son, Brad Edwards of Ellenwood, a daughter Deborah Ivey of Lilburn and three grandchildren.