William F. Bivins

Growing up as a proud resident of Greenwood, MS with his brother, Henry Wright Bivins, and sister, Alcyone Bass (Long Beach, CA) he found the love of music in his trumpet as a member of his high school band and after graduation attended MSU. Bill's love of country called him and in 1942 he joined the US Navy. Entering the Naval flight program, he served as a Naval pilot on the USS Randolph and other carriers. During this time, he also started a family, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math and Physics from Ole Miss. As he ended his naval career, he instilled in others a love of country, recruiting future sailors within the southeastern region of the US.

The end of his naval career allowed him to move overseas with the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Rita (Heustis) Bivins, as she served our nation in England. While there, his love of music led him to play with a range of bands, including the British Airways Band. Upon returning home, he was able to refocus on his love of family and embrace the title of Oompa where he spent innumerable hours attending football, soccer, baseball, dance recitals, and anything else defined by a dedicated father and grandfather. He also instilled in his family the importance of patriotism, joy, health, family, music, God, and education.

As the patriarch of the family, father to two daughters, Debora Bivins (Jacksonville, FL), Barbara Coontz (St. Petersburg, FL), and his son William (Willy) F Bivins (Pensacola, FL), as well as five grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, he carved out time to create memories that will never fade. Saturdays were for college football, birthdays were for celebrating, Christmas was for Hawaiian shirts and eggnog - there was not a day that went by without happiness and celebration.

Bill leaves many lessons in his wake: Stand for the flag. Pray for those in need. Love your family with all your heart. Have fun. And finally, life is short, eat dessert first.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at: T2T.org

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. A graveside service for William will follow on Friday, October 6, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, FL 32508.

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