William Cullen Kutsche, age 66, of Florida and Georgia, passed peacefully in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, July 3rd, 2026, surrounded by his dear family.

Born on May 19th, 1960, in Atlanta, he was the son of Sylvia Kutsche and Arthur “Sonny” J. Kutsche. He grew up in both Florida and Georgia, living in places including Rockledge and Titusville in Florida, and Avondale Estates and Decatur in Georgia.

In 1978 Bill graduated from Rockledge high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.

While in the Marine Corps, Bill was a Sergeant with an occupational specialty as an avionics technician, specifically working on F4 phantom radar. He went to Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and received his electronics training at Millington, Tennessee. During his service, he spent cumulatively twelve months stationed in Japan. Back in the U.S., he was stationed at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina until his honorable discharge.

After a few years studying at Dekalb Community College, Bill enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology where, in 1988, he graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he was employed by Murata Electronics, which allowed him to move to Komatsu, Japan for two and a half years.

While living in Japan, he became fluent in Japanese, studied Kendo martial arts, and explored the country. His appreciation of Japanese language and culture persisted throughout his entire life.

In 1991, Bill returned to the USA to work at the Murata facility in State College, PA, where he worked until transferring to the Atlanta office. While there, Murata sponsored him achieving his Masters of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University in 2002.

In his senior year at Georgia Tech, he met his to-be wife, then Benita Yang, a GT freshman. Though their paths diverged after he moved to Japan, a chance phone call between their companies reconnected them years later. Ten years after their initial meeting, they married in Vinings, GA on August 8, 1998. In 2001, they had their first child, Hope. In 2002, they moved to a house they designed together in Kennesaw, GA. There, in 2003, they welcomed their son, Jackson.

As avid outdoorsmen, Bill and Benita encouraged their kids to be adventurous. He taught them to love camping, triathlons, rock climbing, mountain biking, and swimming. He brought his family to Braves games, hiking excursions, and museums, and to lakes and beaches for kayaking and snorkeling.

He took amazing care of his kids. He championed Jackson through sports competitions, and applauded Hope through theatre performances. He encouraged their academic excellence, encouraged considerate decision making, and instilled in them a strong respect and appreciation for their loved ones. He also inspired in both of them a love of reading and learning, and a keen desire to stay up to date with current events and economics.

Bill and his family were able to see much of the world through travel with Benita’s parents, Theresa and David Yang. Together, they visited places in Europe, China, Central America, and Canada. He also had the opportunity to travel for his company on business trips to even more locations around the world.

Both children graduated from The School for International Studies at North Cobb HS. Hope followed in Bill’s footsteps to Georgia Tech, graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Design with high honors. Jackson attended Kennesaw State University, and is a student of Georgia State University, studying actuarial science.

Recently, he supported Hope in her move to New York City to pursue a career in theatre, and had been tackling adventurous recipes at home with Jackson.

Bill worked with Murata for 38 years, ultimately becoming a manager in corporate technology and innovation, focused on building research and university partnerships. In January of 2026, after eighteen years battling medullary thyroid cancer, he retired. He spent his retirement grilling rib-eye steaks with Jackson, calling Hope on her way to work, and having movie nights with Benita. He swam in the ocean, took long naps with his cats, and visited with his family and friends.

Bill has always been incredibly devoted to his loved ones. He has been a great uncle to his nieces and nephews, an adoring nephew to his aunts and uncles, and a loyal son to his parents and grandparents.

He is known throughout his extended family and friends as a pillar of strength; steadfast, supportive, thoughtful, and loving.

He has been a blessing to all who came to know him.

He will be remembered lovingly by all.

Preceded in death by: maternal grandparents Dorothy Lillian Davis, William Cullen Davis; paternal grandparents A. Arthur Kutsche, Marion Whitney Kutsche; and his mother-in-law, Theresa Tien-Cheng Yang.

Living survivors: his wife, Benita, and their children, Hope and Jackson.

His parents, Sylvia Kutsche and Arthur “Sonny” Kutsche; his sister, Kristen Crisafulli, and Kristen’s mother, Susan Brown; his brother, Keith; and his father-in-law, David Yang.

Darby Funeral Home in Canton, GA is in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 11:30am to 12:15pm, with funeral services starting at 12:30pm in the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held following the service at 2:30pm at Georgia National Cemetery. 

In lieu of sending flowers, please enjoy a meal with your loved ones.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. William Cullen Kutsche.