Billy G Cannon

Billy Gene Cannon, a retired Non-Commissioned Officer with 21 years of military service, passed peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2019, surrounded by his family, after battling several illnesses. He was 81 years old.

Billy was born on April 22, 1938 in Auburndale, FL, to Albert Beal and Kathleen Cannon. He spent most of his childhood in Auburndale, but for a few years he lived in Tallahassee, FL, while his father supported the US war efforts of World War II. Billy graduated from Auburndale High School in 1957. It was during his teenage years that he met his future wife, Jacqueline Boone.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and spent four years as an aviation storekeeper. After his time in the Navy, he spent a brief period in civilian life before enlisting in the United States Air Force. During the years that he served in the USAF, he cross-trained in the field of electronics, specializing in aviation navigation technology and electronic warfare systems. Billy’s prowess lead to a stint as an electronics instructor at Keesler AFB from 1972 - 1976. During his military career, he lived in nine different states and 6 different countries. Billy is a war veteran, having served in Vietnam from 1968 – 1969. Upon his return from Vietnam, Billy was a key team member on the FB-111A competition team, winning the 1970 Bombing Championship (his experience here leading to his final deployment in Lakenheath, England, with the arrival of a fully operational FB-111 squadron). In his retirement, he went on to work at Piper Aircraft in Lakeland, FL and then at Walt Disney World where his electronics background was put to effective use.

More important than his career accomplishments, was the relationship he had with Jackie and his role as father and grandfather. He was a devoted husband to Jacqueline for over 58 years; their love overcame the many separations that military life brought. They also had many adventures together, traveling wherever they were stationed and also in his retirement. Billy was a hardworking man who provided an excellent example for his children. He was generous with his time and support for Joel, Tina and Christy. He especially loved his role as grandfather and he cherished his time with Dylan, Brooke, Carson and Hayden.

Billy had many passions throughout his life. He was an avid video/audiophile and owned every imaginable technology that existed during his lifetime. Photography was another, so his family is blessed with a large library of images from his adult life, going way back to his days in the Navy. He loved taking care of his yard. His lawn was impeccable and he particular enjoyed cultivating a variety of trees. His coy pond was a marvel (until a hungry blue heron entered the picture). Perhaps no passion was greater than his love of cars (and motorcycles), something that his father instilled, and was with him to the end. He owned countless vehicles over the course of his life. Billy was inquisitive and an avid reader. When coupled with his electrical / mechanical / wood working abilities, there was little that he could not do with his hands.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 58 years, Jacqueline Boone Cannon; a son, Timothy Joel Cannon and spouse, Gonul, of Ragland, AL; two daughters, Tina Lynn Roark, and spouse, David, of Lilburn, GA, and Christy Michelle Westall, of Winter Haven, FL; and four grandchildren, Dylan Michael Westall and Brooke Lauren Westall, of Winter Haven, FL, and David Carson Roark and Hayden Patrick Roark, of Lilburn, GA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Douglas Cannon of Winter Haven, FL.

Family and friends are invited to attend his memorial service at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Ott Laughlin Funeral Home at Glenn Abbey Memorial Gardens, 2198 K-Ville Ave., Auburndale, FL. The funeral will be directly preceded by a visiting and viewing hour, from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, some causes Billy held near and dear include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Salvation Army, and Disabled American Veterans.