William W. Jablon, III

William W. Jablon, III, a cherished husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on May 26, 2025, at the age of 79. He will be remembered as a guiding force in the lives of countless students, educators, and families, and his legacy will continue to shape the educational landscape for generations to come. Bill was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and began his career as a journalist there. In 1969, he moved to Tallahassee with his wife, Ellen, to teach at Maclay School. What was meant to be just a few years at the school quickly became Mr. Jablon’s life’s work, as he became headmaster in 1976 and helped Maclay grow from 130 students on a 44-acre campus to nearly 1,000 students on more than 100 acres at the time of his retirement in 2014. His visionary leadership and commitment to academic excellence ensured that thousands of children benefited from a rigorous college preparatory education. Beyond his work at Maclay, Bill was a tireless champion for independent education across the nation and the world. He served on over 85 accreditation teams and held leadership roles with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). He also served as President of the Florida Council of Independent Schools from 1996 to 1999. His influence extended far beyond any single institution as he worked to uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity in education. Bill graduated from Boston College and earned a Master of Education degree from Florida State University (FSU). His career came full circle when he received the Distinguished Alumni Award for K-12 Education from the FSU School of Education in 2015. Bill’s professional accomplishments were exceeded only by his deep love for his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a doting grandfather. His warmth, wisdom, and humor were constants in the lives of those who knew him best. Bill found joy and peace on the water. Whether captaining his boat, fishing with his grandchildren, or savoring oysters with a view of the sea, he was never happier than when spending time on the Florida coast. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ellen; his children Eileen Fennelly (Sean), Michael Jablon (Katy), and Brianne Miller (Chris); his nine grandchildren; and his siblings, Sr. Pamela Jablon, Marion Posen (Phil), and Chuck Jablon. Bill’s legacy is one of leadership, love, and lasting impact. His family invites you to celebrate his life with a mass on June 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Parish. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Maclay School, Big Bend Hospice, and Good Shepherd Parish. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Jablon family with their arrangements.

Tributes

William W. Jablon, III

January 18, 1946 - May 26, 2025