William Samuel Barnes

AUGUST 4, 1932 – FEBRUARY 17, 2021

William Samuel Barnes, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2021. He was born on August 4, 1932 in Frackville, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Frackville where he was a graduate of Frackville High School. He joined the Army right out of high school and was a proud Korean War Veteran. During his time in South Korea, he was wounded in action and became the recipient of several purple hearts along with many service medals and awards. Bill remained at his post after being shot in the back until Allied Artillery had destroyed the Red mortar he was spotting and all of his troops had retreated out of enemy territory. After his service, Bill married Francis and started a family in Philadelphia. He moved his family to Tampa where he began his thirty-year career as a letter carrier with the United States Post Office.

One of his greatest passions was to give to others. He was a member of the Shriners and served on a committee at the Shriners Hospital where he would bond with many families while writing the reports of their children that were born with abnormalities. One of his hobbies was photography. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he put a darkroom in one of his homes where he developed his own photographs. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Charles Barnes, his mother, Evelyn Justice, his son, Billy Barnes, his first wife, Francis Barnes and his second wife, Gloria Jean Barnes. He is survived by his five children, Sharon Phelps of Tampa, Linda Holcomb (Danny) of Oldsmar, BJ OShaughnessy of Clearwater Beach, Susan Shufelt (Mark) of Kennesaw, Georgia and Gus Richard Jimenez, III of Tampa; six grandchildren, Calin Roche of Tampa, Jeremy Holcomb of Tampa, Jill Gazsi (Jeremiah) of Trinity, Jay Cooper (Robin) of Lutz, Maggie and Sarah Wiggins of Kennesaw, Georgia; five great-grandchildren, Ben Mitchell, Caleb and Daniel Gazsi of Trinity, Robert and Gavin Cooper of Lutz.

Bill will always be remembered by his sparkling blue eyes and his witty sense of humor. He loved being around people and making them laugh. His family was everything to him and he spent time with them whenever he could. He also enjoyed golf and would play a round whenever time permitted. Bill was a devoted Christian man. He had a love for the Lord and led an exemplary life that displayed his walk with Christ and his trust in Jesus. He was a blessing to anyone that knew him. Bill was a prominent, active member and Elder at Countryside Christian Church with his wife, Gloria in Safety Harbor, where he attended for twenty years. He participated in various groups within the church including a Monday morning men’s breakfast group called “The God Squad.” For the past five years, he had attended The Church of the Ascension (Episcopal) in Clearwater. Every Sunday his daughter, BJ drove Bill and Gloria to church where you would always find them sitting in the first row. He seldom ever missed a Sunday.

The family wants to express their love and appreciation for the care that was given to Bill over the past 16 months at Arden Courts of Largo. The staff has been so compassionate, loving, attentive and understand- ing. We just want to say “thank you for the selfless love you gave to our Father.” Also, there is another special thank you to all of the doctors and nurses at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater for the special care they gave our Father during his battle with COVID in January and then COVID pneumonia in February. All the care you gave to him and our family has meant so much to all of us.

There will be a private burial on March 5, 2021 for the immediate family. Funeral services will be held at The Church of the Ascension in Clearwater and will be announced at a later date.