It’s been one year today since you left me Daddy. I am forever changed by you. You were my touchstone. You were my person. I love you with all that is in me. I cannot wait to see you again Daddy! I honor and cherish everything you were to me, and I will until I take my last breath on this earth . 💜💜💜

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Sharpe. I did not know Bill prior to the first class of the first year of law school when he sat down next to me in Torts class. And I failed at keeping up with Bill once we moved on to our careers, but let this be know that Bill was one of the most impactful people of my life. He believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. 

Bill lived a life of hardship and courage, and every day, I knew that just by getting out of bed and getting to class, he had worked so much harder than my hardest day. I loved Bill even when he failed to show up for a class which meant that I was the one on the hot seat instead of him. 

He was a force of nature. He introduced me to interesting people. There was truly never a dull moment when Bill was around. 

Bill is truly a great man who never met a stranger. Billy is truly loved by everyone who knew him. The last time we spoke was CHRISTMAS 2020 and had a great conversation. We always told each other that we loved each other. 
I was so proud of Him and told him every time we spoke. I had been friends with Bill since 1981. 

I hired Billy in The Car Business in 1981 in Leeds, Alabama as a salesman. 
Later in December 1981 I took a job operating The Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Store in Tallahassee. I called Bill and brought him down to work for us.
In all my years in the automobile industry I can honestly say without a doubt , Bill was the best salesman I have ever met and made me very proud. He was always the first to work and the last one to leave at night. 

Bill truly loved Jesus with all his heart and loved his children and grandchildren. Bill adored his Mother and truly worked hard to earn everyone’s respect and love. Every holiday Billy would call me from the car on his way to Birmingham and would leave a message telling me he loved me and thanked me for believing in him.
My deepest condolences to Jo Ellyn and his daughters Connie and Christi as loved y’all deeply. 
It broke my heart when I found out today Billy relocated to Heaven. We will all see and enjoy being together again one day.
God Bless,
Pastor Owen Ward Sr.

Bill (or “Grandpa” as I called him) was absolutely one of a kind. He inspired me with his dedication to civil rights & his devotion to helping people in recovery. He made sense to me on a deep level & I will forever be grateful for his example of ferocity, resilience, & most of all, love. One of his last texts to me talks about there being two choices, to live or to run scared. Thank you, Bill, for helping show me how to live. 

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.   Love, Kesley and David 

On the single most difficult day of my life, Bill made me laugh, belly laugh in fact; and in doing so, he gave me hope.  Within the span of about 40 minutes, I went from wanting to crawl under a rock and die, to feeling like I might just have a chance. Three and a half years later, thanks to Bill and "the good Lord Almighty", I am humbled by the opportunity to share in all of these beautiful memories. Thank you Bill, for living your words, and for not being scared to be different. You are in my heart always. Today is the day ya'll!!

Bill was truly a great friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Roll Tide!


Bill called me the week before he died to tell me that he remembers when I was a boy, riding my bike around the neighborhood with no shoes on. He told me that he was proud to be my step-dad.  I was proud to have him in my family, and I thank my mother as often as I can for bringing him into our lives. 

My Daddy was my person. My hero. My best friend. He was always there to encourage me, and help me believe that God could, and would answer our prayers when my faith was weak. He was who I looked to for answers to life’s toughest questions. His answers were always kind and loving......always remembering the human condition and acting with compassion. There are no words adequate to describe how much I miss him.  He was such a light in my life. He loved his family fiercely, and would do anything possible for us. What a man he was!  Loyal to those he loved to a fault. I saved all of his text messages and telephone messages. I knew this day would come, and I didn’t want to be without those reminders of his love. Daddy I am forever grateful to you. You taught me love. You taught me equality with my fellow human beings. You never taught hate. God what a legacy! You loved people and truly enjoyed helping them. You were one of a kind Daddy.  I am so very proud to be your daughter. I’m trying to be strong like you always told me to when this day came. I am successful in part. Losing you is a loss I feel deep in my soul. No one was prepared for this goodbye. All is well Daddy. I will see you again one day. I love you with my entire being. 
Constance Dawn 

I will never forget when you would always make a trip to Alabama to come and spend the holidays and any special occasions and milestones in my life, you were always there. You always reminded me that I was destined for a bright future and that I could do anything I put my mind too. You are definitely a inspiration and someone I will always want to strive to be like. You were everything good in a grandfather and you never let me down or let me go through any struggles without letting me know I had your support and I am forever grateful for the way you loved me and how you taught me to never give up no matter how badly I was ready to throw in the towel. I will forever miss you and will never forget the special things you taught me all throughout my life. I hope your dancing in the sky and I pray Gammy was there to greet you into the pearly gates. God gained another Angel to sing in the heavenly choir 😇 TODAY IS THE DAY!!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!
-Love Always & Forever-
Your #1 Grandbaby,
Devan Briana Boutwell 

I will miss Bill so much.  I loved his hugs and his smiling eyes along with his wisdom and all his stories.   He was definitely one of a kind and always left people feeling blessed to have known him.  He always spoke from his heart about my addictions.  I love him so much.  

I want to send all my sympathy to his family and all his loved ones.

Kat 

Bill Sharpe was hard to describe in just a few words. Over the course of his life he was a steelworker, a teenage father, a man on the run, a used car salesman, a personal injury lawyer, and a public defender.

But most important to me: he was my stepfather and he loved my mother.

He and I bonded over books, tales of travel and trouble, and our shared faith (his inspired mine in no small part). Katy and me asked him to preside over our wedding because he was a man of God. When I moved to California his ceaseless encouragement helped me through some bleak days. When my son was born Bill was often on the phone telling me I was doing great even though I didn't know what I was doing.

I will miss him so much. I will miss his stories, his mischievous eyes and big smiles. I will miss him making my mom laugh.

His beloved Crimson Tide won the NCAA championship on Jan 11. On Biden's inauguration day, Bill danced in his pajamas to bursts of televised music from across the country.

The next day he laid down in bed wearing his Black Lives Matter t-shirt.  He and God decided without consulting the rest of us that it was as good a time as any to head on.   And though I would've liked to have him around for longer,  it's hard to argue with a lawyer as good as Bill.

Bill I will always remember you on the car lot in a suit with a hot cup of coffee, winter or summer! Bill Heard Chevrolet is where we met and I want to thank you for being a great friend and introducing me to your beautiful daughter Christi! We had many good times together and I wish the very best for your family. 
Love,
Connie


 Deeply missed by all who knew him. My condolences to Bills wife and all his family. I have known  Bill since childhood as the father of my two best friends. He was a  bit intimidating to me as a teenager because I could see he was wise to any games 😉. As an adult  I have always felt respected, valued and loved by him. I feel honored to hold a  special place in his family. He loved his daughters and grandchildren fiercely and complete, this I am a witness too. Bill Sharpe was a memorable person in the most respected , positive,  and loving way. 
Bill always spoke as a true believer and follower of Christ. No doubt he is in Heaven with Jesus, soaking in all his new knowledge and basking in the light of God's unfailing  promises fulfilled. 
Ps. Love his obituary.

Oh boy - where do I start?  Today's the Day!   I love Bill and will miss him deeply.  He was a great boss and friend.   I remember him calling me from my desk into his office to pray with clients - He was so kind and always kept tabs on my dad when he was ill, or my Army son who he swears was crazy for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. I can hear him now yelling "God Almighty!" when I told him about his jumps.   I looked up to Bill as my adopted dad.  He loved his girls fiercely and was so proud of them.   I'm going to miss getting those "Roll Tide!" texts and harassing phone calls.  Bill, say hi to my daddy for me and know that you're loved and missed.  I look at the chair you always sat in, in my office, and smile with a tear in my  eye.  It will forever be your spot.  God speed my friend!  

I met Bill when I was in High School and be-friended Christi, his daughter.  He was such a sweet Daddy to his girls and always such a handsome guy!    I have a fond memory of going to visit him in Tallahassee,  FL with Christi when we were about 16.  We went to his apartment and he had his huge motorcycle in the living room!  He cranked it up and it was so loud!  LOL.   I thought man he is a cool dude!  And that he was.   He was always kind, smiling and had a gentle spirit.  I know he will be missed by all that knew him.  May God Bless Bill and comfort his loved ones during this time.  Cherish the memories.  Love, Lisa Mason Kersh 

OBITUARY

William F. Sharpe

June 16, 1949 – January 21, 2021

Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home

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