William Richmond Vance Jr. PhD, age 74 passed away on March 13, 2025. Bill had a solid faith in Christ and was a devoted loving husband and best friend to his wife Diana Sanders Vance for 33 years. Sharing the redeeming message and love of Jesus was his heart's desire. He looked for every opportunity to share with others throughout each day. He pursued a professional career in counseling in order to share the Good News of hope in Christ to his patients. After he retired from counseling, he joined The Gideons International to distribute bibles and devoted his time ministering to others as a regular volunteer chaplain at the Shelby County Jail and at Brookwood Shelby Baptist and UAB West Hospitals. He was preceded in death by his unborn child, his father, Federal Judge, William Richmond Vance Sr., mother, Helen Troxler Vance, and sister, Barbara Vance Tallman (Bud). He will be greatly missed by Diana along with his sister Nikki Vance Turnipseed (Jerry), nephews, Fred Turnipseed and Kurt Tallman (Pauline), Nieces, Lee Ann Tallman Samuels (Allen) and Marykathryn McHale Maertens (Sam), his precious great nieces and nephews, Myna Rose, Nila, Anna, Cliff Maertens and Drake Turnipseed. Bill was a regular active member of the First Baptist Church of Alabaster and the Liberty Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers, Bill would prefer donations to purchase Scriptures be made to:
The Gideons International
PO Box 832
Alabaster, AL 35007
A visitation will be held at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 10 am until 11 am. A celebration of Bill's life will follow in the chapel at 11 am. He will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery.
