William Darwin Presley

William Darwin (Bill) Presley, age 99, passed away Sunday October 15,2023 at his home in Athens, Alabama surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Imogene Melton Presley and is survived by his wife of 21 years, Nancy Leopard Cutts Presley. He is also survived by his three daughters Linda Joy Presley Allen (Mark), Laura Lee Presley Lide (George) and Rebecca Presley; two grand- daughters Jennifer Joy Allen and Amy Rebecca Allen Newson (Brent); grandson Christopher George Lide and great grand-daughter Joy Renee Newson.

Bill was born in White City, Cullman County Alabama in 1924 to Charles Arthur Presley and Ethel Massey Presley. He enlisted in The United States Marine Corps Magic City Platoon in 1942 at Birmingham, Alabama and was deployed to the USMC training facility in San Diego, California. He married Imogene Melton in 1946. After multiple deployments to the Pacific theater Bill was deployed to the Naval Air Station at Point Mugu, California where he began a storied career as an electronics and radar engineer that would span the next several decades. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, Good Conduct Medal with one star and the Expert Marksman Medal. He and Imogene were blessed with the birth of Linda Joy and Laura Lee while serving in the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged March, 1956 having achieved the rank of Master Sargent. Bill then began a civilian career as an Electronics and Radar Engineer with the Department of Defense in Huntsville, Alabama where he and Imogene were blessed with the birth of Rebecca. He served as Project Engineer for design and development of Command Radars for the US Army NIKE-X Defense System. Bill served as Senior Project Engineer, Consultant and Technical Expert in the Systems Technology Project Office for large Phased Array Radars with the Army’s Ballistic Missile Defense System travelling frequently to Kwajalein Island. He also served as Senior Project Engineer at Teledyne Brown Engineering for development of Radar Suppression Camouflage Cloth, requiring extended travel to Cairo, Egypt. Bill was instrumental in the establishment of the private Christian school at The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, now Westminster Christian Academy. Bill then “retired “ to begin a private consulting business and assisted his daughter, Rebecca (Becky) in establishing “Lollipop Fashions”, a children’s clothing boutique. He provided constant care for Imogene during her struggle with a terminal illness. Bill also contributed his time and computer expertise to Huntsville Bible Church. In 2001 he married Nancy Cutts and moved to Athens, Alabama. As a member of First Baptist Church of Athens he continued his service as a computer consultant there for many years. He and Nancy offered their time and energy in multiple ways in service to the church over the years. After a stroke in 2013 Bill continued to be of service as he was able until his declining health prohibited it. Bill was a source of wisdom, faithfulness and guidance and an example of commitment to honor, duty and service to his Lord, his family and his country. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

Services Friday October 20, 2023 at McConnell Chapel

Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM

Funeral Service at 11 AM, Brother Joe Teal officiating

Graveside Service following at Athens City Cemetery

Pall Bearers: George Lide, Christopher Lide, Charles “Chuck” Cutts, Michael Leopard and Bailey Leopard Jr.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Athens or Hospice of Limestone County.