William Vance Raby

William Vance Raby, 82, of Vestavia Hills, passed away on September 23, 2014. Born to Richard and Nellie Raby in Memphis, Tennessee on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1932, Vance graduated from Memphis Tech High School.

In 1951 he joined the U.S. Army and served with honor in Goeppingen, Germany until 1956. While there, he met and married Karin Hardt. The couple returned to Memphis, where they began a family with the birth of their daughter Lisa, and Vance began his career in the commercial and residential glass business – a career that would span almost six decades.

Working for Binswanger Glass, Vance began as a salesman in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he logged thousands of miles and won numerous awards. A few years after the birth of the couple’s son Jeff, Vance was promoted to Branch Manager, where he ran the Meridian, Mississippi location, and then in 1977, the Birmingham, Alabama offices.

After 27 years with Binswanger, Vance was hired as Senior Project Manager for Nelson Glass in Birmingham. His passion, dedication and vast knowledge of the business contributed to many lucrative contracts, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International’s corporate offices in – of all places – Vance, Alabama. After 29 years with Nelson, Vance finally – and reluctantly – retired at the age of 81.

Throughout the years, when he wasn’t working, Vance could be found “reading the greens,” where he pursued his other great passion: Golf! He played in and won several amateur tournaments, but primarily he played for the pure joy he found in the challenging sport.

Vance waited a long time for grandchildren, but when his “girls” finally arrived, his new title of “Grandpa Vance” was the one he was most proud of.

During his brief retirement, Vance enjoyed watching The Golf Channel and virtually all sporting events (with an uncanny ability to quote the stats of any team or player), sitting on his deck and reading in the sunshine, and just about any slice of pie, although lemon icebox was a favorite.

Whether as a respected businessman, a good friend, or a beloved husband, father or grandfather, Vance will be deeply and dearly missed by all those who love him. He shall never be forgotten for the dedication, loyalty and love he gave to them in return.

Vance is survived by his wife, Karin; daughter, Lisa Vance Raby; son, Jeffrey [Lisa]; granddaughters, Lilly and Brooke Raby; plus extended family in Tennessee and Germany.

To honor Vance’s life, a memorial service will be on Monday, September 29, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial gifts may be made to The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the American Heart Association or to a charity of choice.