William Lucas Silver Jr.

William Lucas Silver Jr., a long-time resident and public leader of Saraland, Alabama, entered his eternal home on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Mr. Silver, President of the Saraland City School System Board of Education, left an unparalleled legacy of civic, charitable, and educational public service.Bill Silver was born on October 30, 1939 in McRae, Georgia. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, Mr. Silver developed a work ethic that was evident throughout his professional and public service endeavors. After graduating from Lumber City High School (Georgia) in 1958, he joined the United States Navy, serving on the USS Saratoga. After his military service ended, he enrolled at Mobile College (now the University of Mobile) and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He would later serve as the college’s Alumni Association president and received the Alumnus of the First Decade Award. In 1972, he earned his MBA from the University of South Alabama. After a brief time of employment with Merit Finance, in 1967 Mr. Silver began a 30-year career with Alabama Power Company. He would eventually serve the company as District Accounting Manager.Few men have had as much passion for, and accomplishments in, public service as Mr. Silver. Beginning in the 1970s, he had long associations with many civic organizations including the Mobile Jaycees, The Mobile County United Fund, the Kali-Oka Volunteer Fire Department, Saraland Lions Club, Saraland Civic Forum, Saraland Chamber of Commerce, and the Kushla Water District. Mr. Silver was a tireless worker in these organizations, serving as president or chairman of each at various times. He was known as Coach Bill to hundreds of North Mobile County young people due to his decades of involvement with the Saraland Parks and Recreation Department serving on the board, as president, and coaching youth football and baseball. In recognition for his many civic achievements, he was named Saraland Citizen of the Year in 1990. He was a member of Kushla Bethany Baptist Church.The crowning achievement of Mr. Silver’s 50-plus years of public service was his crucial role in the founding of the Saraland City School System. Mr. Silver served as President of the Saraland City Schools Board of Education from its inception in 2006 until his death. Under his leadership, the system has experienced remarkable advancements in student enrollment, classroom and athletic facilities, liberal arts, and, most importantly, academic achievement. Due, in large part, to his unwavering devotion, the system is today recognized across the state for its excellence.Mr. Silver was preceded in death by his father William Lucas Silver; his mother, Jenny Lucile Bennett Stephenson; his wife of 45 years Senia Margaret Bowman Silver; an infant daughter, Sarah Margaret Silver; sisters Joyce Swanson Silver Bright and Eva Lee Silver Van Alstine; brothers William Donnie Silver and Larry Joe Silver; and step grandson Andrew Martin Walker.He is survived by his wife of 16 years Barbara Holliman Silver; children Diane Johnson (Jeff), Jackie Louch (Derek), William Lucas Silver III (Lisa), and Margaret Cully (Greg); stepchildren Jason Martin Walker and Jonathan Anthony Threlkeld (Rebecca); as well as grandchildren Kimberly J. Chan (Warren), Jeffery Johnson Jr., Thomas Johnson (Sarah), Cami Bertolla (Gatlin), Mallory Burgin (Cade), William L. Silver IV, Megan Patterson, Jacob Patterson, Alexander Louch, Anna Louch, and Lyndsi Cully; step grandsons Matthew Walker and Nicholas Cully; great-grandchildren Rhett Gatlin Bertolla, John Cade Burgin, Kathleen Marie Bertolla, and Laith Silver Burgin; sister Diane S. Matlin; brother-in-law Larry Van Alstine; nephews Bill Sellers (Judy), Larry Van Alstine, and Tim Van Alstine (Julie); nieces Allison Sellers Cook (Michael), Vicki Marek (Troy), and Lynn DiSantos; numerous cousins; a dearest family friend Faye Carmichael; and his faithful dog Pebbles.Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 19 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Redemption Church, 1251 Industrial Parkway, Saraland, AL 36571. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, January 20 also at Redemption Church. A Graveside service will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 10000 Celeste Rd., Saraland, AL 36571.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The William Lucas Silver Jr. Scholarship Fund at Saraland High School, 1115 Industrial Parkway, Saraland, AL 36571.