William Haynesworth Hightower III

Bill, known as Haynesworth to his childhood friends, retired from the US Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer with 22 years of service, serving on many ships during his career, the last being the recommissioning of the USS Wisconsin. In addition to his military service, he worked for AT&T, Ingalls Shipbuilding and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. He was an active member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, holding several positions on the local board including Chairman. He was also active in the VFW (Post 1512) (Commander, 1981 & 82), Fleet Reserve Association Branch 290 of Atlantic Beach, but his heart and active membership was at the American Legion Post 316 of Atlantic Beach.

Bill’s retirement passions included extensive genealogy research, a life-long love of golf, and dachshund rescue with GetALong Dachshund Rescue, Inc.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Haynesworth Hightower, Jr, and Mildred Kinard Hightower. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Hightower, children William Haynesworth Hightower IV (Tiffani), George Robert Hightower, Steven Kyle Hightower, as well as stepchildren, Michelle Moore (Greg), Susan Barndt (Steve) and Robert Zakrzewski (Tara) and many grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at the Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N. Jacksonville, FL 32225, on Thursday, Aug 4, 2016 from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will also be held at the funeral home on Friday, Aug 5, 2016 at 11 am. Interment will be at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of floral tribute, memorial donations may be made to GetALong Dachshund Rescue, Inc. PO Box 1394, Ft. Walton Beach FL 32549.

The family wishes to express tremendous gratitude for the loving care provided by Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com.

s under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL.