Obituary: William Herschel Wisebram
William Herschel Wisebram, age 94, Cartersville, Ga. died May 11, 2024.
William Herschel Wisebram, age 94, Cartersville, Ga. died May 11, 2024.
Born in Thomaston, Ga., Herschel graduated from the University of Alabama in 1953 after a pause for Army service. In his youth, his family moved around the South, until they took root in Piedmont, Ala. But he found his home in the city of Cartersville when he came to work at WBHF, the radio station he managed and later purchased. Under his leadership and vision, this small broadcast station won unprecedented statewide accolades for quality programming and civic engagement.
By the time he retired in 1999, Herschel’s voice was easily recognized and loved by generations of Cartersville Purple Hurricanes fans. But Herschel’s engagement with the community was much broader. He was a civic leader, serving as a long-time programming chair for the Cartersville Rotary Club; President of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce; and dedicated philanthropist for the Etowah Education Foundation, Inc. and other local arts, culture, and historical institutions.
He also taught his family many important life lessons such as: It never rains on the golf course (thanks to three terms as President of the Cartersville Country Club); Everything tastes better when grilled on a boat in a Lake Allatoona cove; Alabama football is always Number One; and any best day includes a scoop of chocolate ice cream.
He will be remembered most for his sense of gratitude, a value he always expressed enthusiastically, without reservation, to his family, friends and caregivers.
Above all, Herschel was a deeply devoted family man. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Ruth Stein Wisebram; son, Barry Wisebram; daughter and son-in-law, Alisa and Ted Kesten; son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Debi Harris; daughter, Ellen Harris and son-in-law, David Zinn; grandchildren: Evan (Amanda) Kesten, Dov (Anna) Kesten, Abbey (Ariel) Rom, Dustin Harris, Bailey Harris, Charlotte Harris, Jaren Zinn, Amalie Zinn and Sophie Zinn; great grandchildren: Lila, Millie, Charles, Harry, Kira and Ruby, nephew Ralph (Tenagne) Daniels and niece Robyn Daniels.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Etowah Education Foundation, Inc. https://www.etowah.org/ Sign online guest book at www.jewishfuneralcare.com. A graveside service was held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999.
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