PUTNEY, Louis William, 91, a Tampa native, passed away peacefully at home on November 28, 2020. As a child growing up on the Hillsborough River off Columbus Drive, he constructed his first sailboat from wood he found floating down the river. His love for boats, fishing, and beaches endured throughout his lifetime. He graduated class of 1946 from Hillsborough High School, where he was a member of the swim team and president of the Key Club. He served in the United States Air Force as a Russian Language Specialist during the Korean War, after graduating from the Russian Language School at Syracuse University. He earned his undergraduate degree in business and law degree from the University of Florida. He returned to Tampa and served as an assistant county solicitor and assistant state attorney. He was a founding member of the law firm of Goldburg, Putney, Taylor and Hampton, and practiced law in Tampa for over 35 years. He worked diligently to maintain the respect and integrity of the legal profession, serving on numerous bar committees and as President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
He met his soulmate, Jeanie Kendall, at Hillsborough High. Louis and Jeanie were married in college and enjoyed 68 years together prior to Jeanie’s death. He and Jeanie loved to travel, serve others, spend time with family, and to work on political campaigns and support issues that were important to them. His faith was lived out throughout his life, and he was an active church member, serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School teacher at Bel Mar Presbyterian and Seminole Presbyterian churches. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanie, and his two brothers David Putney and Henry Putney. He is survived by his brother James Putney, son Louis D. Putney and wife Karen, daughter Patricia Tope and husband Gregory, 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
