John "Bill" Persons

John Billie (Bill) Persons, a native of Shipman Mississippi and a long-time resident of Mobile, Alabama was born April 6th, 1936 and passed away peacefully at Covenant Hospice in Mobile surrounded by his family and amazing Covenant Hospice staff on Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Bill is remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and great grandfather. He was also a heck of a cook and prided himself on his ability to whip up a pot of gumbo, etouffee or Chicken Big Mamoo for family and friends which would leave them begging for seconds. In fact, he would argue that his gumbo was better than his brother Bob's gumbo that he serves at his Double Musky restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska. He was an avid armchair quarterback and golfer and loved nothing more than spending a day deep sea fishing on the Gulf of Mexico. He was a member of the Mobile Sail and Power Squadron, sharing his love of boating and being safe on the water with others.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Albert Edwin (A.E.) Persons, his mother Marie Persons Gottfridson, his step-father Goran Gottfridson, his brother Thomas (Tom) Edwin Persons and sister-in-law Sayoko Sadamatsu Persons. He is survived by his wife, and high school sweetheart, Gerry Mullin Persons; daughters Steffanie Grayson Persons and Lauren Persons Bartlett (Craig Dubose); grandsons Matthew (Brooklyn) Bartlett, Dylan Bartlett and Jerad Bartlett; great grandson Corbin Bartlett; sister Emily (Ken) McElhaney, brother Bob (Deanna) Persons and brother-in-law Patrick (Fran) Mullin III. Bill was beloved by a host of nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews, many of whom visited or skyped with him as he began his journey home. He was also beloved by and indebted to his loving and patient caregivers, Lenora Rhodes and Frances Cunningham. His nephew, Ken McElhaney Jr, described Bill as being like a "toasted marshmallow, a little bit crusty on the outside, but mushy sweetness on the inside." He fully embraced his role as the "loveable grump" in the family and oh, how he is loved.

Bill graduated from Vigor High School and remained active as a member of the Class of '55 Reunion committee. He was a member of the Marine Reserve during this time. He attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas on a football scholarship until a knee injury side-lined him and then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi, closer to home, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. He also studied at Springhill College.

In 1958 Bill embarked on a path that would lead him to a career that would span 55 and a half years as a State Farm Insurance agent. During that time Bill's customers came to know and love him. He truly believed it was his job to advocate for his customers. He was also known and widely respected for his loyalty and, more importantly, his integrity. During those 55 years Bill was recognized many times for his achievements. Among these, he was a National Convention Qualifier, earned the Legion of Honor status, Auto Honor status, Fire Honor status, Life Honor status and he was an Ambassador Travel Qualifier. Bill also earned the National Quality Award and Superior Life Agent award.

Bill was a member of the Abba Temple Shriners and the Howard E Palmes Masonic Lodge #917. He was also an active church member at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and more recently Christ United Methodist Church, where he loved singing in the choir and cooking gumbo for church functions and Double Musky pies for church bake sales.

Services will be held at Christ United Methodist Church on Grelot Road in Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. and a service at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Graveside services for the family will follow immediately at Pinecrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Nature Conservancy by visiting their website at nature.org or Victory Health Partners or send donations to: The Nature Conservancy :Attn: Treasury 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203 USA By Phone: (800) 628-6860 Or Victory Health Partners 3750 Professional Parkway Mobile, AL 36609. Please sign the online guest book at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com