(Crossposted from Trainorders)

From Donald Purdie:

Family and Friends,

It deeply saddens me to deliver the message that Bill Purdie, Master Mechanic – Steam Engines “Retired” passed away this [Thursday -- July 22] evening at 8:25 pm. He went peacefully to be with his Lord and Maker.

Details of the arrangements will be sent out Friday but the thinking now is Saturday afternoon viewing and Sunday afternoon service.
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Truly a sad day. Thoughts and prayers certainly go out to Donald and the entire Purdie family.

I can't imagine that there are many on this board that were not somehow directly or indirectly effected by Mr. Purdie's work on the Southen/Norfolk Southern Steam Program. I, for one, was greatly effected and it continues today with the the NHV. I still have pictures of my mom holding me in the '70s in front of the 4501 in Richmond and in the background is Mr. Purdie and some of the others....along with a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting on the pilot. When it was time to take our annual steam trip, my dad would wake up the house by playing "Green Board South" as loudly as the speakers could stand. While O. Winston Link's pictures and recordings are a salute to his work, to me, GBS will always be a salute to Mr. Purdie and the Southern Steam Program of that time.

I have many good friends that grew up learning from Mr. Purdie and while I never had a chance to work directly with him, I did have a chance to say 'thank you'. When Greg Dodd passed away a few years ago, Mr. Purdie and Donald came to the memorial service. Afterwards, I shook his hand and said hello and thanked him for doing all that he did. He smiled and it seemed like he appreciated the thank you. Then he looked at me and said, "You know, there were some days that those things just about took the cloth out of me". I still laugh thinking about it.

I wish God's Peace to Bill, his family and everyone that he had influenced during his long and amazing life.

T7

As received from Donald Purdie:

Bill Purdie, Master Mechanic - Steam Engines, "RETIRED"

A True Steam Driving Man

Bill Purdie, former Master Mechanic - Steam Engines for Southern Railway,
and later Norfolk Southern Railway, had a career which afforded him the
opportunity to bring smiles to thousands of people, both young and old.
Beginning in 1968 with a call from then Southern Railway President, W.
Graham Claytor, Jr. the adventure began. Claytor's vision was to operate
steam locomotives over Southern rails to let another generation know what a
steam locomotive was. The program was so successful that it evolved into
nearly year round train excursions throughout the Southeast and beyond.
Purdie professionalized the rebirth of Southern Steam and in consequence,
made its sight and sound self-supporting and available system-wide.

Purdie began his career with Southern Railway in February 1936, as a
machinist's helper in Pegram Shops in Atlanta; he then served as machinist's
apprentice and later roundhouse foreman. Purdie preferred the shop to the
road stating "The shop restores; the road debilitates." His theory being
that "The exhaust, smoke, whistling, bright headlight, and flailing rods of
a photo run-by were glamorous; but the lathe, forge, drop pit, rivet
furnace, crane, and hammer made the dramatics possible."

After graduation from Russell High School in East Point, Georgia, during the
depression, Purdie enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). After
his time with the CCC, he was able to secure a job with Southern Railway as
a machinist's helper. During WW II, he offered his service to the Army and
Navy; being turned down by both because his work for the railroad was deemed
as important. Determined to serve his country, he enlisted with the
Merchant Marines in 1945 and served as Junior Engineer.

A strong belief and deep conviction in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, led
Purdie to be actively involved in the East Point Presbyterian Church for
many years. He was Building Committee Chairman during the church's
expansion and served in several other capacities through the years.

Purdie belonged to several organizations, mostly railroad oriented. He was
a charter member of the Atlanta Chapter, National Railway Historical Society
(NRHS) and Southeastern Railway Museum; recently receiving 50-year
membership recognition. He devoted many hours working with the museum to
preserve and restore railroad equipment. Bill was an honorary member of
several other NRHS chapters throughout the Southeast. Additionally, he was
a member of the Southern Railway Historical Society, American Legion Post
51, the National Rifle Association, National Model Railroad Association, and
was a Kentucky Colonel.

During the 70's and 80's, the steam locomotives under Purdie's supervision
made appearances in several Hollywood productions including "Fools Parade,"
"Coal Miner's Daughter," "Minstrel Man," and a Johnny Cash film.

Bill Purdie was married to the former Sara Elizabeth Fries of East Point for
52 years until her death in 1993. He is also preceded in death by his
parents William James Purdie, Sr. and Charlotte Taylor Purdie, both from
Scotland; son John Davis Purdie; brothers Douglas, Alexander, and Kenneth;
sisters, Hazel Purdie and Charlotte Boggus. He is survived by sons William
James Purdie, III and wife Ruby of Milton, Georgia, and Donald Kenneth
Purdie and wife Sharon of Wise, Virginia; Grandchildren Deanna Purdie, Dr.
Brian Purdie, Matthew Purdie, and Jeff Roark; and one great grandchild,
Juliet Rose Purdie, as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves
behind a very dear and close friend, Joyce Harris of Atlanta.

Family will receive friends at Northside Chapel
<http://www.northsidechapel.com/> , 12040 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia,
Between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., Saturday July 24. Funeral services, officiated
by Dr. Allan Purdie, will be held Sunday July 25 at East Point Presbyterian
Church <http://epointchurch.org/> at 2:00 p.m., followed by graveside
services and interment at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the
Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth, Georgia.


Jason Greene

Memories (linked from Steam Central)

http://steamspecials.com/in-memoriam/bill-purdie/

Locomotive book publisher and author Al Staufer, very much a New York Central fan, once wrote that he hoped Heaven would have a four-track mainline through the middle of it, complete with track pans. I hope it has that and more, including bucolic lines through green country, with green engines to match. . .

Highball, Bill. . .