OBITUARY
William S. Black, Jr.
May 18, 1933 – September 5, 2012
William S. Black Jr. Merritt Island
William S. Black Jr., 79, passed away on September 5, 2012 at his home after a seven month illness.
Bill was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on May 18, 1933 to Lillian Wilson Black and William S. Black Sr.. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Patrick AFB, he trained for the Olympics, where he placed 13th in the nation for the decathlon in the 1956 Olympic tryouts. For over 30 years he continued to compete in local competitions where he won many trophies. Bill attended the University of Nebraska. He graduated from Lindsey-Hopkins Vocational School in Miami with honors. He was the owner of WS Black Co., in Merritt Island, Florida for 40 years. His background of successful scholastic and athletic determination stood him in good stead when he had to guide his business through two local depressions, both related to employer cutbacks at Kennedy Space Center. These two economic downtrends occurred in 1973 and 1974 and again in 1984 and 1985. On the heels of the first economic downtrend, the W. S. Black Company survived a fire that completely destroyed the business. Bill's personal integrity and determination carried his Company through thick and thin and he has remained a highly respected individual of our community who people still call on for advice.
After retiring in 2000, he and his beloved wife, Lillian, traveled the world extensively visiting over 40 countries. Bill and Lil were married August 19, 2002 at the Candelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. They spent a wonderful week in Vegas attending shows and touring the area.
They enjoyed doing many things such as riding camels in Egypt, hot air ballooning, Mardi Gras in Rio, helicopter rides in New York & Rio, gondola rides in Venice, touring Australia and New Zealand, zip lining in St. Kitts, just to name a few. But they also enjoyed just playing pool, cards, or bingo at the Moose. Even though they were close family friends for over 40 years, Bill and Lil crammed a lifetime of living and loving into 11 years as husband and wife.
Besides his wife Lillian, he is survived by sister, Charlene (Everett); niece, Sandra (James); nephew, Jamie; sons, Daniel, David, and Danny; daughters, Jody, Bonnie, and Vicki; grandsons, Derek (Naki), Trevor, Mitchell, and Austin; granddaughters, Michelle (Aaron) and Emily; two great nieces and three great grandchildren.
Bill was an avid golfer, a founding member of the Country Club of Brevard, and a member of the Merritt Island Moose. He was of Presbyterian Faith.
Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be forever loved and greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Florida Memorial Funeral Home from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Services will follow at 10:30 am. A reception in celebration of Bill's life will follow the service at the funeral home.
Services
- Visitation Sunday, September 16, 2012
- Funeral Service Sunday, September 16, 2012
REMEMBERING
William S. Black, Jr.
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RECEIVE UPDATESOctober 24, 2012
Lil
October 24, 2012
Sandra Grider
October 24, 2012
Uncle Bill use to always tell me that I was his "favorite" niece, of course it took me a while to realize, I was his only niece. This was just one of the memories I have of Uncle Bill and his sense of humor. I will miss Uncle Bill, along with his humor and generosity. May peace be with him.
October 23, 2012
This is the poem that was shared at Bill's service.
I am home in Heaven, dear ones,
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will.
There is work still waiting for you
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home:
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
Lil
October 21, 2012
October 20, 2012
My Love,
You were so proud of your Scottish heritage and the fact that your Grandfather immigrated from Scotland to St. Louis to help build the train station there. This is one reason why I had Mr. Bell playing the "Bag Pipes" for you. It was so wonderful, I hope you were looking down from heaven. I will always remember you as the most awesome husband in the world. There will never be another you and I will spend the rest of my life worshiping your memory until I join you in our final resting place "Together Forever"
Your Wife
Lil
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
Lil
October 20, 2012
October 18, 2012
Bill was one of the most ethical, caring, funny, and influential people that I've had the pleasure to know. He played several different roles in my life as I was growing up. He was a family friend in my pre and teenage years, he became my employer when I was old enough to work for someone, he became my step father as time rolled on ,and all the while, I'm thankful to say, he was my friend.
Daniel O'Dell
Lil Black
October 17, 2012
Lil Black
October 17, 2012
October 17, 2012
Dave
October 17, 2012
Dear Dad.
You were my best friend, my mentor and most of all my partner while we were "flipping" houses from "03 until you got sick. Even then I went to you for advice. You taught me how to be more patient, listen to others and many other things. You were a great teacher and role model in everything you did. Most of all you taught me the importance of just being there for the one's I love. Dad, I am working very hard to take care of Mom and the home you two shared with so much love. I am keeping the promises I made to you. I hope you have found peace and relief from your suffering. I love you and miss you and will never forget the many lessons I learned from you.
Dave
October 16, 2012
October 16, 2012
October 16, 2012
October 16, 2012
October 16, 2012
October 16, 2012
Jody McDonald
October 16, 2012
I Wish Peace To My Father. I followed you around as a child, then followed in your footsteps as an adult . You always told me, a parent should raise their child to be better then themself. I'm not sure that's possible. I will never stop trying to live by your example. Your love, patience, forgiveness, generosity and honesty that you shared is a gift I will cherish forever... I love you.
James Turvey
October 15, 2012
My Uncle Bill is someone I have always admired. While I was in Florida for the funeral it was no surprise to hear how many lives he has affected in a positive way. I will always remember his generosity and good nature. He will be missed by his family in Texas and many others.
October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
Bill my dearest brother. I have always been so proud of you and all the wonderful things you have accomplished in your life. You are such a caring thoughtful person to everyone. You have a real heart of gold. You always make me laugh and I cherish all the good times we have shared. I have been so blessed to have had such a fantastic brother. I love you deeply and I will always carry you in my heart.
Charlene Turvey - Dallas, Texas
October 9, 2012
Dear Dad,
You will forever be in my heart, and never far from my thoughts. I know some sweet day we will see each other again. Until then, I will continue to miss you endlessly.
I love you always,
Vicki
Lil Black
October 8, 2012
Lil Black
October 8, 2012
Lil Black
October 8, 2012
Lil Black
October 8, 2012
Lil Black
October 8, 2012
Lil Black
October 7, 2012
Mitchell Vasquez
October 7, 2012
Lil Black
October 7, 2012
Lil Black
October 7, 2012
Lil Black
October 7, 2012
October 7, 2012
My Darling,
Our story began over 40 years ago. First as friends, raising our families, enjoying parties and outings together and then a wonderful miracle happened - you reached out your hand to me and we began our journey together as man and wife. It turned out to be a "storybook" love, marriage and life. As we traveled the world together I discovered that just being with you grew sweeter everyday. Even at home we never wasted a moment and your loving smile and embraces were my warmth, my comfort and my haven from life's storm's. You made even the most ordinary days "extraordinary" and I am so grateful to have shared these years with you my husband, my soul mate, my friend. It has only been a month since you left this wonderful life we had and I am trying to carry on but it is so difficult without your loving support. You gave me the best of you and made each year so sweet. You will always be in my heart, my thoughts and my memories.
I will love you forever my husband.
Lil
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Lil Black
October 5, 2012
Dave McCormick
October 2, 2012
"I walked a mile with sorrow, and never a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me" While we are sad that Bill passed - I am truly happy that I had Bill as a friend and we can all rejoice and honor his memory by knowing that he was a great person who lived a good life. He was a man I looked up to because his life struck a balance of work, family, fun and community and everyone he came in contact with was better off for it. My heart is with the entire family.
Mitch Vasquez
September 23, 2012
As I continue to work my hardest, I always see you and I always hear your voice praising me, making me do even better. I know that you are watching me, and smiling like you always do. Miss you and love you Grandpa.
Paris Sexton
September 13, 2012
I hope Gramma Lil and Mimi are ok. I love Pa B and I will miss him very much.
Katy Adams
September 13, 2012
Jody & family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Katy & Logan
Carolyn & Fred Robinson
September 12, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy and one of Robbie's favorate golf buddies.
Rodney Simpson
September 12, 2012
Thinking of Bill and his father and all the good times we had. So sorry for your loss. Rodney Simpson and family
September 9, 2012
Dear Lil and family,
This is in loving memory of a really wonderful guy.....he was a very close friend for almost 70 years.
Our thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Stan & Margo Ehrlich
September 7, 2012
Dear Vicki and Mitchell,
Thinking of you and your family especially your Mother. Wishing you all peace and loving memories.
Priscilla
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