William Alan Grinsted passed away on July 05, 2019. Born August 15, 1944 at the Salvation Army maternity ward in Raleigh, North Carolina. He spent his first four years in an orphanage and was adopted by Alan & Betty Grinsted in 1948. In 1950, the family moved to Pensacola, where his father was stationed for the Navy. Bill grew up attending schools in Pensacola and Washington D.C., graduating from Escambia High School, class of 1963. Four years later, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and was commissioned as a naval officer in October 1967. He served at Sangley Point, PI. He was also a Vietnam veteran. His last duty station was NAS Meridian, Mississippi.
In 1971, William was employed at Walt Disney World where he worked as a sailing instructor/ boat operator for one year. Returning to Pensacola in 1972, he began his twenty-five year career as an Art teacher at Washington High School. During his early years as an art teacher, he was involved with the local art shows in Pensacola, Destin, and Fairhope, Alabama. He had a one-ma (n show at Knolls’ art gallery, Seville square, and sold paintings at Gayfers department store and to various individuals requesting his paintings.
Living on Perdido Bay, his true love was sailing. One reason for being a teacher was that it gave him three months every summer to travel, sail, swim and ski on the bay. He often mentioned that he enjoys being an art teacher, so he could make a difference and open the minds of his students to realize “Self Expression” through the visual arts. Many of his students kept in touch throughout his life and shared how their experience as students stayed with them and lead them into art related careers.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Ruth Adams, and his parents Dr. and Mrs. Alan D. Grinsted.
He is survived by his two nephews, Bob (Debbie) Adams and their children Bobby and Natalie; and Doug (Jenine) Adams and their children, Peter (Aerial), Philip and Daniel (Daryna & daughter Evelyn).
Graveside services will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday the 24th. The funeral cortège will depart Bayview Fisher-Pou chapel at 1030 am for Barrancas. Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements. Ashes will be interned in the Columbarium at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations in memory of William Grinsted to the Pensacola Humane Society located at 5 N Q St, Pensacola, FL 32505, or online at https://www.pensacolahumane.org/
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