William Erle Seale

William “Erle” Seale, age 74, took his last breath on earth followed by his first breath in heaven on July 20, 2023. Erle grew up in the Fairmont Community and was raised in a God fearing home where he learned the meaning of hard work and the value of saving a dollar. He graduated from Phillips High School and was drafted into the army at the age of 18, serving from 1969-1971. Upon completion of service to our country during the Vietnam Era, he returned home to resume his 40- year career as an engineer with what is now BNSF Railroad. Erle spent his retirement years fishing off the dock of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida, frying fish or grilling in massive amounts for his family and friends to enjoy. He also loved spending time and trying to teach life lessons to his grandchildren. He oftentimes would sit on the porch at Smith Lake having a “Safety Meeting” with neighbors and a cold drink while solving the world’s problems. Despite being rough around the edges, he had a heart of gold.

He treated his wife of 19 years as a queen and made her feel very special. He was an obnoxious Alabama football fan, but when he married an Auburn fan he had to tone it down!

He is survived by his devoted wife Rebecca Whitman Seale, his children Lesli Seale Goodwin (Kerry), Brian Erle Seale, Leslie Bailey Finger (Ben), and Lorri Bailey Eggink, his grandchildren McKenzie Goodwin, Taylor Goodwin, Dylan Burns, Evan Seale, Brendan Finger, Colin Finger, Donovan Finger, Sadie Eggink, Westin Eggink, and Lucy Eggink, great-grandson Marshall Goodwin, sister Elizabeth Seale McConnell, nieces Teresa Shufflebarger (Bob), Ginger McConnell, and Kristen Ezekiel (Gary), nephews Charles Chamblee, Jr., and Joe McConnell, Jr., and a host of in-laws and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Columbus Seale and Kathryn Miller Seale, mother of his children Elizabeth Ann Williams Seale, his sisters Lynda Seale Chamblee and Gerri Lynn Seale Wolfe, his nephew Dyral Phillips, and his son-in-law Rob Eggink.

A celebration of life memorial will be held August 20,2023 at 2 PM at Mt Olive Community Center.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either:

• International Rett Syndrome Foundation; rettsyndrome.org

(His granddaughter, who he considered his angel “Lucy Lou,” has Rett Syndrome.)

• Hope Community Church; hccommunity.org, 805 Crest Drive, Gardendale, AL 35071

The family would like to thank the following organizations for their support and care:

• UAB Palliative Care

• Aveanna Home Health

• ProHealth Hospice

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Seale family.