William "Bill" Ossian Bolen

Passed peacefully into his savior's loving arms surrounded by his loving family on January 04, 2018. He was born November 15, 1928 in Selma, Alabama to Joseph Benjamin Bolen and Roberta Huggins Bolen. Dad graduated from the University of Alabama where he is a member of the School of Communications Hall of Fame. He met the love of his life, Vivian, at the University of Alabama and they were married on February 14th for 57 years. After graduation, he served two years in the Department of Information Services with the United States Air Force and continued his service with the Air National Guard and Reserves until his retirement in 1979 as lieutenant colonel. He began his career in journalism/broadcasting with WSGN radio station in 1954 as morning disc jockey and headlined the Saturday evening "Rollin' with Bolen" show. In 1965 he moved to WBMG-TV/Channel 42 where he co-anchored two daily newscasts while gathering news with the help of a Polaroid camera and a tape recorder that his wife, Vivian, had given him for Christmas. In 1969 he moved to WBRC-TV/ Channel 6 where he remained until his retirement, in 2010, at the age of 81. While at Fox 6, he produced and hosted many news segments including a weekly show, "Religion in the News" for 22 years. He was most remembered for his role as co-host of "Good Day Alabama". He considered the Fox 6 gang his family and thoroughly enjoyed every day with them. Through multiple speaking engagements, public appearances and his position on the air, Daddy realized the Lord had lead him to a career where he could reach many people and make his light shine through his christian faith. Dad never met a stranger and appreciated anyone who took the time to acknowledge him. He was a servant to his community by volunteering and giving back to many organizations. All of them were dear to his heart and we wish we could list them all. He was a long time member and deacon of Brookwood Baptist Church, Shades Valley Rotary Club, Chairman of the Board of Alabama Jail Ministries, and Board of Trustees of Judson College. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Vivian Killebrew Bolen, his brothers Joseph Benjamin Bolen (Genevieve), Frank Seay Bolen (Francis), and infant sister Evelyn Marie Bolen, brother-in-law Alfred Lamar Killebrew, sister's-in-law Elaine Killebrew Evans (Tom), and Mildred Killebrew Worsham (Allen).

He is survived by his children William Ossian Bolen, Jr. (Patti), Mallory Bolen Whitaker (Dan), Jennifer Bolen DuBose (Brent), Sandra Bolen Ballard (Rob). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristin Leigh Bolen, William Kevin Bolen, Daniel Taylor Whitaker (Maggie), Andrew Tucker Whitaker, Mallory Evelyn Whitaker, Lina LaTaste DuBose, Lewis Brent DuBose, Jr., Robert Henry Ballard, III, William Payton Ballard, Vivian Carlisle Ballard and great grandchildren, Jane Caruthers Whitaker and Calvin Major Whitaker and a brother-in-law, James Homer Killebrew, Jr. (Gerry) and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews whom he all loved dearly. The family would like to thank two special caregivers, Bernice Culpepper and Ashley Chandler and our nurses with Hope Hospice whose compassion and genuine caring for Dad made his last days comforting and peaceful for us all. Memorial Services for Mr. Bolen will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 at Brookwood Baptist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held privately for the family and serving as pallbearers will be his six grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Alabama Jail Ministries Inc, c/o Brookwood Baptist Church, 3449 Overton Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35223; Brookwood Baptist Church Builders for Christ, 3449 Overton Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35223; or Alzheimers of Central Alabama, 300 Office Park Drive, Ste. 225, Birmingham, Alabama 35223. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel Homewood.