Bill Savage of Stockbridge said God has put him on the earth to help those around him.

  For this reason, he has dedicated much of his adult life to working and volunteering with the Salvation Army.

  “The Salvation Army just brings that out of you,” said Savage, 81. “It’s given me a purpose from the day I was born til the day I die.”

  Savage worked for the Salvation Army for 38 years, in the Adult Rehabilitation Center department. He spent much of that time at the organization’s territory headquarters in north Atlanta.

  “I grew up going to church in the Salvation Army,” said Savage, adding that he continues to attend church at the organization’s facility in Griffin. “There’s nothing like the Salvation Army for the social work that they do, day in and day out.”

  Savage was among those who served in the aftermath of disasters including Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

  “We were usually getting disaster supplies to affected areas,” he said. “I’d help to set up people with housing who are coming in to help with disasters.”

  Savage said he is thankful that he was able to help people through difficult circumstances in his work with Salvation Army. The most rewarding aspect of the experience, he said, is that “you just know that you did what you were supposed to do.”

  Savage retired in 2013 at age 75. Rather than resting on his laurels, however, he opted to continue supporting the Salvation Army as a volunteer during disaster-relief efforts.

  He did so until recently, due to his current battle with bladder cancer.   Still, Savage said working and volunteering with the Salvation Army has been a calling for him throughout his life.

  “I really can’t describe it,” he said. “People do things for people. Anytime you do something for somebody, you get a good feeling. You don’t do it for thanks or recognition or applause. You do it because that’s what the Lord is calling you to do.”

  Savage and his late wife, Brenda, were married for 48 years, until her passing in 2013. He has two children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His son, Maj. Robbie Savage of McDonough, works at

the Henry County Police Department, and his daughter, Suzette Darst, lives in Monticello.

  Bill Savage said he wants to be known as someone who loves the Lord and as “an asset and a tribute to the Salvation Army.”   “There’s an old saying – you can’t outgive God,” he said. “I have not done anything for the Salvation Army that others have not done before me, and I’ve gotten tenfold back from them.”