Bill graduated from Damascus High School and joined the US Navy. He served on the USS Ashtabula during the Korean war and served for a year as a Naval Reservists on the USS Tweedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served a total of 38 years and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. He was employed with Civil Service at Naval Air Station Pensacola and retired after 30 years as an Electronics Engineer.
He was instrumental in organizing the Innerarity Point Volunteer Fire Department and served as a fireman for many years and Chief for five years.
Bill attended Point Baptist Church where he served as an usher and greeter, and was a loyal member of the Senior Saints class.
He was an active member of the Big Lagoon Kiwanis Club and participated in many projects. He also volunteered with the Red Cross at the Naval Hospital Pensacola.
He was a kind, compassionate man. Bill loved his family, the Lord and bluegrass music. He read his Bible every day and lived by its precepts. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara, sons Keith and Kevin (KC), daughters Karen Kriegel, and Kelli Michaelsen (Chris), two grandchildren, Savannah Lewis (Shaun) and Sam Michaelsen; a sister, Betty Jeanette Lambert and many cousins; sister-in-law Sue Smith (Billy) and brother-in-law Lee Saxon (Joan).
Visitation will be at The Point Baptist Church on Friday, November 2, 2018 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm followed by the Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. A Graveside Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery Shelter “A” at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to The Point Baptist Church building fund – 13801 Innerarity Point Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507.
