William Emery Waine

William Emery Waine, born February 22, 1930 passed peacefully Monday Nov. 28, 2022 at his home with family by his side. He was 92. Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Bessie (Riley) Waine. Surviving are his loving wife of 71 years Patsy G Waine, son William “Emery” Waine Jr (Debra) of Glenmoore, PA, daughter Laura W Craven (Robert) of St. Petersburg, FL., son David M Waine (Pamela) Debary, FL. and his grandchildren Stacey W Thomas(Ilya) of Pottstown, PA, Rebecca W Mogey (William) of Mohnton, PA, Waine Alexander Craven of Orlando, FL, Emily A Craven Rey (Drew) of Tampa, FL, Andrew M Waine of Longwood, FL. and 4 great grandchildren.

William (Bill or aka Billy) grew up in Tarrant City, Al. and graduated from Phillips HS in Birmingham. While in high school he studied trumpet at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music and played with the high school jazz band and the Dixieland Jazz Trio there. Bill went on to Alabama Polytechnical Institution, now Auburn University. He joined ROTC and pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity his freshman year. Music continued to be an important part of his life while at Auburn, playing 1st with The Auburn Plainsmen Orchestra. He was invited to join the renowned Auburn Knights Orchestra his junior year. In March 1951 he married Patsy R Gorday and they enjoyed traveling in the early years of their marriage, with the band on the many engagements the band played throughout the South before children started arriving.

In May 1952 he graduated from API and entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, trained at the Army Artillery School in Ft. Sill, OK. and from there he was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA where his 1 son was born. When he left active duty he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant. With the Tennessee National Guard he continued to serve and attained the rank of Captain. In 1962 he was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserves.

Bill began his professional career in roofing products sales with Barrett Roofing, a division of Allied Chemical Corp and progressed with the company with position advancements and moves to Memphis, Birmingham, Charlotte and Philadelphia. When Jim Walter Corp acquired his division he moved the family to St. Petersburg where he took the position of National Sales Manager for Celotex Built up Roofing Division in Tampa. He finished his career with Jim Walter as President of the Celotex Industrial Products Division. After leaving Jim Walter Corp he purchased the Presglass Corp that produced products for the auto industry in Greenfield, Indiana and was CEO until his retirement in 1992.

After retirement he and Pat enjoyed travel and fun with their grandchildren, taking advantage of every opportunity to be with their family. Many fond memories were made with trips to the beach, fishing, building sandcastles and much more. He followed each one’s career as they grew and took pleasure in talking with them about their future plans. Golf was a lifelong pursuit and he was known as a rather good golfer. Bill played too many courses to mention throughout the USA. He enjoyed watching sports and followed his Auburn Tigers football, baseball, and girls softball teams religiously. Bill and Pat enjoyed their trips back to Auburn over the years for the Auburn Knights reunions and Bill even played again with the band once or twice at reunions He will be greatly missed by all that had the pleasure to know him.

The family would like to thank Suncoast Hospice for all the wonderful care and support throughout the last 6 months.

There will be a private gathering of the family after the holiday season. Donations in his name may be made to Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches or Metropolitan Ministries.