Milton crash leaves father and son dead.

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

April 05, 2010

MILTON - Milton residents William Pope, 45, and his 11-year-old son Bryce were found dead after their car had apparently swerved off the road and hit a tree.

The father and son, as well as another boy, Jeffrey Schoendorf, 11, were heading home at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Saturday night, March 27, when Pope apparently lost control of the vehicle on Birmingham Highway, not far from the Breamridge subdivision.

"We know that he lost control of the vehicle," said Milton Police Captain Shawn McCarthy. "We don't really know why."

Schoendorf was taken to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital for treatment of a broken arm. Police will question him in the coming days to determine what happened.

Pope, originally from Thomaston, was the managing partner of Pope Global Ventures, LLC, a Canton-based sales consulting company, and was a graduate of Valdosta State University where he studied History. He spent much of his career in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was considering "one of a couple of career changes" the day before he died.

"Bill has dedicated himself and everything he does in the spirit of being of service to others," says his profile on the company Web site. "He maintains balance in his professional and personal life, ensuring that work gets done on time and that he has plenty of time to spend with his wife and two children, to go golfing and fishing, and to be active in his community."

Pope is survived by his wife, Jane, and daughter, Madison.