William Santo

William (Bill) Terral Santo, 94, of Pensacola, Florida, was peacefully called to the presence of our Savior on Sunday, June 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be fondly cherished. He was a wonderful example of hard work, selfless service to the Lord and others, a zeal for the Sanctuary and a faithful prayer warrior. He embodied 1 Thess 4:11, “working with his hands and leading a quiet life.”

Born on May 14, 1931, in New Orleans, LA, Bill was the middle child of Joseph Ernest and Irene Beatrice Santo. His older brother was Joe Jr, and his younger sister, Sandra Lou. He graduated from LSU and earned his master’s from New Orleans Theological Seminary. He spent his career in Southern Baptist ministry, beginning in music and ranging to administration.

He is survived by his precious wife of 67 years, Vara Louise; his children, Lanie Newton (Eric), Terri McGee (Bob), Rich Santo (Kristin), and son in law Gary Massey; his 12 grandchildren (Wayne, Jodi, Jamie, Kacy, Leslie, Bobby, Chrisann, Collin, Sean, Lorin, Clayton, and Ashley); his 30 great grandchildren; and many more extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; eldest daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Louise Massey; grandson, Ryan Wayne Massey; and great-grandson, William Newton Miller.

Known as Pop, he loved to reminisce and keep notes and lists. He had a number of Bibles through the years, and in the flyleaves of each, are prayer lists with many of your names on them.

He cherished his days as an Eagle Scout and was the camp bugler (he still has the bugle). He had clear childhood memories of summers with his grandparents in rural Illinois and loved his years at LSU playing trombone in the Tiger Band.

He had a large and lasting impact on many churches, beginning in Denham Springs, LA, where he met his young bride, and then in Natchez, MS; Bastrop, LA; Jackson, MS; Alexandria, LA; New Orleans, LA; and finally, Pensacola, FL, where he has a lasting legacy. In his early career, he conducted the LA Baptist State Youth Choir and led numerous youth choir trips and projects across the country. Through the years, he spearheaded many ministries and projects, including a large bus ministry in which unchurched children were picked up and brought to church in Alexandria, and a seaman’s ministry in New Orleans. In Pensacola, he led capital campaigns and organized several mission projects. One in particular was very special to him, a partnership with a sister church in Urawa, Japan. Many folks in Pensacola enjoy the flowering of the Easter Cross tradition at First Baptist. He started this tradition with his son-in-law, Gary, and grandson, Wayne Massey, who built the cross. We regularly hear from church members and their families about treasured memories of Bill and special times when he ministered to them. His soft heart of service even took him to New York City after 9/ll, ministering to those in need through the Red Cross.

When he was not serving the church, he reveled in many hobbies and talents. He enjoyed a green thumb in gardening, and loved chair-caning, beekeeping, coin collecting, wood working, duck hunting, and boating. He was an overall project-oriented handyman. Most days, you would find him in coveralls over his work clothes. Duct tape, velcro, and zip ties were his specialty.

His loss is profound, but we rejoice that he is with the Lord. We smile at the future, looking ahead to the glorious days with him in Paradise. We will miss him, but will heed his words and “STANDBY” until we see him again.

Please join us to honor and remember him at a casual come-and-go fellowship on Friday, June 20th, at First Baptist Church Pensacola, Chipley Hall from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.