William James Howell

HOWELL, William James (Billy) age 82 of Ocala passed away October 2, 2011. Billy was born to Mabel and Robert l. Howell, Jr. on February 28, 1929, in Apalachicola, FL. A 1947 graduate of Chapman High School in Apalachicola, Billy joined the Florida Power Corporation as a groundman in January 1948. He retired in December 1992, as Vice-President after 44 years of dedicated service. While in high school, Billy was an All State athlete in both football and basketball. In 1950 he was offered a professional baseball contract to play in the Chicago White Sox organization, which he declined because of his commitment to Florida Power and his soon-to-be bride, Sally FitzGerald. Sally and Billy married in 1952, and spent 59 wonderful years together. They had two children, William, Jr. (Bill) and Holly, and three wonderful grandchildren, Lacy and Hunter Townsend and William Howell III. Billy served his country as a member of the Florida Army National Guard for 22 years from 1948 until 1970. He retired as a captain. Billy and his family moved to Crawfordville from Apalachicola in 1958, where he was the district manager for Florida Power Corporation. While in Crawfordville Billy served as the scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout troop, Treasurer of the Methodist Church, President of the Wakulla Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Lions club and the Masonic Lodge. Billy is predeceased by his parents, Mabel and Robert Howell, his twin brother, Robert L. Howell, III (Bobby). He is survived by his wife, Sally, of Ocala, his daughter Holly Townsend (Neil) of Ocala, his grandchildren Lacy Townsend of Gainesville, Hunter Townsend of Ocala and William Howell III of Miami Shores, his son, William Jr. also of Miami Shores, and his sister Frances Anne Monroe of Shellman, Ala. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.at First United Methodist Church of Apalachicola. Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville is in charge of arrangements. (850-926-3156 or bevisfh.com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Marion County, the First Presbyterian Church of Ocala or the First United Methodist Church of Apalachicola.

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William James Howell

February 28, 1929 - October 2, 2011